For the love of editing

June 2026

Chapter 27. Here I am editing and editing and editing.

When I finished the first draft, I was proud of myself. Yes, I still had work ahead. A self-edit seemed daunting, and I’ve never been the best with grammar. When I sat down in front of the words, in front of all the chapters, in front of the shitty first draft that I pretty much word vomited, dread gripped me. I can do hard things. That's not to say I haven't avoided them from time to time. Life is full of hard things we must do, so to choose to add another to the plate? Who does that? Then I remembered that dedication and perseverance make dreams come true. I've seen it. In family members, in strangers, in the military spouse community.

So, I pulled my yoga pants up, and I started. I struggled. Had some wins. Had some hit-the-brakes moments. And they're still happening. Chapter 27, remember? But I’m learning a shit ton and it’s fun.

Now, a little more than halfway through my novel, I’m having a ball. It’s not perfect. And I’m not perfect. But learning how to edit is not only making me a better writer and teaching me how to be an editor, but it’s ignited a new part of my creativity. A part that's singing. A combination of creativity and problem-solving is quite the rush! Finding the perfect word for the coolest transition-so gratifying. I remind myself that it can’t be perfect. I’m human. I wrote a thing, and it’s not perfect. I’ll keep polishing and tweaking and having a blast. And then I’ll have to let it go and be satisfied when I send it off to a professional.

I also remind myself, after hours have gone by, that I am about to embark on a PCS cross-country move in the military. There is no time for editing. But I can't deny the joy it has sparked-joy for the story, joy for the process, joy for me trying something new at 51 years old! The frames on the walls are calling me to take them down, though. It’s the 13th PCS move, the 15th house I’ve lived in since my husband and I moved in together all those years ago. With the kid off in college now and an elderly cat still hanging on, this should be a piece of cake. Ha! That was a joke, universe. Please don’t let me have just jinxed myself. To quote a very close family member of mine, "It was a joke!!"

Why start this blog at Chapter 27 and not at the beginning? Oh, and during a PCS move?

Sure, I'd love to tell you about my process-when I first got the idea, how to self publish, the dangers of using AI in book cover art, and how I taught to make my own digital art on my son‘s iPad (I am fine artist after all, but definitely not an illustrator). I'd tell you about peering over the manuscript in a hotel room with my bestie when we went to see Juliette Cross.

And maybe I will-later. But I'm starting now because... well, life. You know what I mean. F*ckin' life. And all its to-do lists, and all its beautiful day-to-day moments. F*cking life-hard, beautiful, worth it.