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Daily Work

April 18 – Moldy Molasses

When I was in High School, I played in the band. I can’t tell you how many times I heard the director say to the whole band something like, “That piece is supposed to be lively. You folks made it sound like moldy molasses.” That’s how my writing flowed today. The devotional went fine, 581 words. Then, after doing a few things around the house, I started trying to work on a piece I’m trying to submit to an anthology on Time Travel. I had gotten some notes back from an editor, and as I tried to incorporate them, nothing flowed. I wrote enough words to cover my challenge, barely, and left it til tomorrow because … well … because.

While dealing with the writer’s block, I read some more of the Venom Protocols and of God Dreams. I also played Splatoon, trying to free my mind. Have I told you that I’m not a gamer? Anyway, I finished the writing after church and watched my daughter play Splatoon the way it’s supposed to be played.

Today’s devotional: April 18 – Gaining Focus in the Middle of a Carnival

Daily Work

April 17 – Gettin’ it Done

After writing my devotional today, a process interrupted by a discussion re problems with email and waiting forever to deal with my webhost, I began working on my book. The book is just about ready to go to the publisher. (Self pub, but going through the process). I still need some front matter to include in the book and a fix on the cover. I had to strategize with my wife on the cover issue. I left to teach a chess lesson and then came home to get ready for a night of international cuisine with my wife. The college where she works has an amazing restaurant management program and tonight they served Asian food. It was great! Then, home to relax and deal with small things, not major things. Got news about a friend coming down to visit. I’m excited about that, too.

Today’s devotional (588 Words) – April 17 – Humble Pie is on the Menu

Daily Work

April 16 – Working Overtime

Ok, I didn’t REALLY work overtime. It was nice to have time that I could focus on my editing. I wrote my devotional this morning – 494 Words and then went to work on a course I’m taking in descriptive writing from Kelly Blanchard-Dale. Even old folks like me can learn from young folks like her. This week’s focus is on active voice, as opposed to passive voice. The writing sample I looked at made me realize that I use the passive voice more than I thought. I did a little bit of housework after that and then went back to editing the devotional book. I got 15 days worth done. I hope to finish June tomorrow and begin the final process of sending it to the publisher. I had chess clubs today and then cooked dinner in the middle of the editing times.

Today’s devotional – April 16 – Forward the Light Brigade

Daily Work

April 15 – A Taxing Day

I didn’t write this yesterday because after I left for church in the morning, I didn’t open the computer except for our Financial Peace University Class to show the video. I have a different login for that so people won’t see a cluttered background. Aside from my regular Sunday routine, daughter’s boyfriend came back and joined us for dinner. He’s more important than getting on the computer so, it stayed shut the rest of the night. Yesterday’s devotional was 544 words. I was really trying to do shorter devotionals this year, but they keep getting longer!

Yesterday’s devotional: April 15 – “But I’m So Much Better Than They Are”

Daily Work

April 14 – A Time to Edit

Yes, that’s a take-off of Grisham’s book A Time To Kill. Editing kills me, so I thought the title was appropriate. After writing my devotional of 525 words, I spent most of the day formatting and editing. I put the May-June Devotional book into the font and sizes that I want for submission and started one last read through, fixing things as I went along. I spent about 5 or 6 hours working on fine-tuning everything. I’ve finished up to May 31. I just have June to check out. I should be able to send to the publisher by Tuesday at the latest.

I started using Grammarly as part of my work. Not on that manuscript, because it’s too much to work on now. But it’s giving me nasty notes when I try shortcuts here. Long day. I’m tired. Still have dishes to do. More tomorrow. I have church tomorrow so I won’t have much writing time. Some things are more important than writing.

Today’s Devotional (525 words): April 14 – Searching For Real Treasure

Reading: continuing on with the Venom Protocols.

Oh, and I came up with a tagline for this blog, thanks to a comment from one of the readers. Thank you Beverly from