Icy Cold Brainstorm

This morning as I stood in 20 degree weather (that felt like 5 degrees) on the crosswalk, I couldn't help thinking  (cold air tends to wake up the ole brain cells).


My  first thought, was about my eldest WIP.  You know, the one you keep coming back to, but never feel satisfied with?  All this talk on other blogs about revision got me mulling it over.  I've felt stuck in how my novel is RIGHT NOW.  I forgot how much power we authors have.  We can change or add whatever is needed.  So I've decided to go through my manuscript AGAIN and jot down what I need - on each page.  (Got this idea from a fabulous book called, Making a Literary Life --which I'll share more from on Thursday)  Doing this one simple step will help me because when I go back to make revisions, I'll have notes about where to start.  I won't get lost in re-reading the entire thing (which doesn't count as writing); I'll actually be making progress.  Such a simple thought.  You're probably thinking, "Well, duh!"  But it was an AHA moment for me.  Now I have a project to do and I'm filled with hope that perhaps, maybe, I might actually finish THIS WIP!!!!


My second thought, totally unrelated, was about the homeless.  Standing on the sidewalk, I wondered how it'd feel if I didn't have a time limit for being outside.  If I didn't know that coffee and warmth were waiting for me in thirty minutes.  There's an organization in my town that collects blankets for the homeless and, I'll be honest, I've only sent a few.  I've been very lackadaisical about it.  But this morning, the cold hard truth was whipping me in the face (literally).  And as I pulled my scarf up and jogged in place to keep warm, my heart softened.  I imagined all those throws, blankets and quilts stuck up in my linen closet.  And then I thought homeless people not welcome to warm up in places like restaurants and offices (although I've seen a few in libraries).  It made me cringe.  Needless to say, I'll be gathering up some blankets and sending them on their way.