Why did I keep this?

I decided to go through the boxes at the top of my closet which went well for two reasons: I actually threw away assignments from high school and didn't fall off the latter. I fell off the latter the summer before my freshman year of college cleaning out the top of my closet. Knocked the wind right out of me and to this day I don't remember hitting the floor. Needless to say, my mom was mortified when she heard the crash and couldn't get in the room since I was blocking the door.

So, no falling. Always a good thing.

Now, as I sifted through my old essays, tests and worksheets, I kept asking myself why the hell I kept anything related to math or science. Chemistry. Algebra. Geometry. Gone. Except for this little flip-book I made for Professor Sales' class where a right angle triangle flipped into a rectangle. And in fairness to science, I did keep my marine biology report since the project holds terrifying memories for me. I'd had a stack of about thirty note cards detailing the lives of sea otters and whatnot when I like a nervous high school senior started bending my note cards. About five minutes into my speech the cards flew out of my hands, fanning up into the air before splattering onto the floor in front of me. And since I had this avoidance to anything relating to math and numbers, I'd forgotten to number my cards.

After about an excruciating minute of shuffling through my notes in front of about fifteen students and my teacher, I ditched the cards and kept going. It was jumbled in parts and I know I left out about half of the facts and trivia I'd wanted to present, but I learned two important lessons. Number your cards and never be a slave to your notes. Or in my present case where I'm re-reading the scenes from my novel, I shouldn't be afraid to cut or as Mr. Faulkner once said, kill your darlings.

And with that I will go and scratch out those filler sentences, paragraphs, and pages that clutter my writing.

Happy writing and weekend to all.

SOS

I'm still in the process of sorting through my documents and weeding out the good scenes and meh parts. I've been keeping notes and marking sections with *** in areas that are in need of research. And while I have read articles and books, there's nothing like interviewing an expert for feedback. So, if anyone knows of someone who works in the Department of Fish and Game and wouldn't mind my interviewing them I'd greatly appreciate it. Please know that if I do ever get my story published, I'd definitely acknowledge them and their assistance.

For those not in the know of what I'm writing about it's a supernatural thriller/mystery set at a California inn. The inn and tourist town are fictional, but it deals with the growing human-bear conflict that often leads to the DFG's destruction of nuisance bears and/or the illegal taking (killing) of bears by homeowners. My goal for the novel is to not only write an entertaining story, but to inform readers of this problem and to help prevent further injuries to humans and the death of these beautiful creatures.

Must Remain Focused

This will be my new mantra. Wrote this morning and must write again before the sun sets. I've been distracted lately with family obligations, but need focus. I'm considering printing out all the pages I've written for my novel and wading through it. I hesitate because I think of all the beautiful trees I'm killing yet I think holding the pages in my hands will help in organizing my novel. I have not written it chronologically and have changed characters, suspects, and clues. Part of me dreads printing it out while the other welcomes it and hopes for clarity.

Happy living!