Writing Class + WIP Progress

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. The main reason is I started a class in November of last year with my writing mentor to help me edit/finish the book. I’m pleased to say that I’ve just completed the final chapter.

Over the last five months, my WIP went from 58,805 words and 24 chapters to 36,453 words and 52 chapters. I joked after taking chapter one from 3500 words to around 1300 that I needed to add pictures and provide crayons. Albeit, much shorter, I’m happier with it. Honestly, it wasn’t ready to be published. I would have received a ton of rejection letters, but now I’m hopeful.

My writing mentor has a list of 21 rules he follows when editing his WIPs. Number one is to develop thick skin. I knew going into the class I was in for tough edits, and the first one still took me by surprise. Not exactly the good kind of surprise either. It took me a few days to accept my work wasn’t as good as I had hoped it would be, and that’s okay. Sometimes we get knocked down. A wonderful passage of scripture comes to mind. Proverbs 24:16 says, “for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.” In 2009, that passage of scripture held my hand as I went from a crawl to a walk with the Lord Jesus.

Before I wrap things up, I’d like to mention my short story, The Old Man and the Seven Clocks. I previously said I’d post it here after the contest, well, it’s not ready, and this class has helped me see why it didn’t win. There were POV violations, showing not telling, needless words, and a lot of times I should have resisted the urge to explain. Anyway, I hope to work on it again soon, and I’ll post it here when it’s finished.

Tim