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A blog about my writing the epic saga and assorted thoughts. |
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To start this blog…jumbled thoughts When I was in seventh grade, my teacher, Mrs. Banks, asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. Without hesitation, I said, “I want to be a writer.” She looked at me and said it would never happen. Never? Fast forward. In high school, I became editor of the school newspaper all four years—grades nine through twelve. Later, I earned a full scholarship to college because of my passion for journalism. So why was she so certain I couldn’t do it? Because at the time, my reading comprehension was poor. I couldn’t spell. My grammar was atrocious. I thank God for Mrs. Day my tutor. But what Mrs. Banks didn’t know—what no test score could measure—was that I had a gift for storytelling. I could hold a room captive for hours, spinning tales for friends and family straight from my imagination. That was my superpower. The best writing advice I’ve ever received was simple: Just tell the story. Write your first draft without worrying about spelling, grammar, or the “small stuff.” If you focus too much on perfection, the story itself gets lost. So that’s what I do. Even with all the modern writing tools available, I still write my stories the same way—heart first. The first draft is just me, telling the story as it comes. It may not be the way everyone writes, but it’s what works for me. Because at the end of the day, I write because I love to tell stories. And yes—my favorite stories always end in happily ever after. Someone once told me I must be a hopeless romantic because I’m obsessed with happy endings. They were right. My head is often in the clouds, and I like it that way. I don’t like nightmares. I prefer dreams filled with love, kindness, and a little magic. Because in my world, the story is everything. The story must be told. |
My thoughts on reviewing. Although I am not a professional reviewer, I enjoy writing reviews on Writing.com as a way to support and encourage other writers. Sharing what I appreciate about a piece allows me to give back some of the kindness and insight others have offered through their feedback on my own work. My approach is balanced and constructive. I begin by highlighting what works well in a piece—what captured my attention, moved me, or felt particularly well written. When needed, I provide suggestions for improvement, which may include identifying spelling or punctuation issues, or noting where adjustments could improve rhythm and readability. I sometimes comment on passages that might be unclear or seem out of place, always with the intent of helping the author strengthen their expression and flow. For me, the heart of good writing lies in its emotional resonance. I often ask, “Did you feel it?” or “How did it make you feel?”—not because the writer instructed the reader to feel a certain way, but because the words themselves created a genuine emotional response. A professional manuscript editor I once worked with often reminded me, “Less is more.” That advice has stayed with me, as finding the right balance between expression and restraint is one of the greatest challenges of writing. This, in essence, is my reviewing philosophy: to respond with honesty, respect, and appreciation for the art of storytelling, while offering thoughtful suggestions that may help the writer refine their craft. |
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