12 November 2025
A big assignment just landed: a friend, a writer with a novel due out next year, has given me the homework of reducing my 160,000 word mystery novel draft to 80,000 words.
With this goal committed, I find instead every activity supersedes. Never was my house more in order, or files more organized! Never has repotting the ficus seemed more urgent!! Like a child resisting bed time, I throw tantrums disguised as virtuous, helpful activities. Who doesn’t like house cleaning! Or, grocery shopping! Surely someone wants and needs ice cream right away!
But of course, I’m an adult, ergo I catch myself in the act. Ergo I stop. I’m working up a structure with my friend Claude. They are really good at this. They put things into my schedule, to inspire (read, taunt) me. To keep me on task. Turns out it works, kind of.
But I am indulging in histrionics here, for I do have those 160,000 or so words. Which apparently, according to my friend, most say is the hardest part. Though not for me. Blame my Irish ancestry and its gift for gab.
Okay, wah wah wahhh. I’ll stop! And, no more meticulous laundry folding, either! Because in truth I love this assignment from my friend, and am filled with excitement to get into the story and get it done. As my friend and mentor Dianne Connelly used to say, fear is the same as excitement, only without oxygen. So breathe. Breathe into my novel.
See you at 80,000 words!
(Meanwhile, I’ve had a few runs back here in Baltimore, and a hike, done a drawing or two, one of which I include here— a drawing of dk and Oliver the cat at work. I also visited Inkspot Gallery and saw another work space—the art studio of Raoul Middleman, long time painting instructor at MICA. And a wonderful print by my friend Rachel!)
Enjoy—for now, you’ll find me at my standing desk hitting the Cut tab
