FINISHED, BUT FAR FROM DONE

My first ghostwriting assignment has been completed. After I turned the manuscript over to my client, I felt like a surrogate turning my baby over to its other mother. And I don't know what, if any changes my client will make. This was her concept from the start.

We had more than a few creative differences along the way. I gave the plot a sinister twist and took it darker places than she wanted to go. I watered down my writing in several places to suit her tastes. No creative person likes doing this. I had to keep reminding myself that I was performing a service. I was being paid to write and step away. She owned the cake, I was merely the oven.

Among her complaints was that her characters were no longer likable. I find people with flaws more interesting to write about. Also she wanted to keep the betrayed wife a victim. I chose to empower her and bring out the strength I saw in this character along with her dark side.

I assured my client that many of these characters would become more likable in the end. The survivors all learn their lesson becoming better people for it.

My client is an excellent writer herself, but not of fiction. She admitted that she could never have come up with all the twists and turns I threw into this story.

But one mistake I kept making was that I automatically wrote everything in the present tense because it was live to me. In my mind I saw the story unfolding in the moment as I typed. Of course I corrected this during editing, but I overlooked it in some places. I'm not a perfect writer. That's why another pair of eyes is always necessary! The more pairs of eyes the better!

The novel is paperback length. I don't write anything that doesn't advance the plot. This was also easier on my client's wallet. I could have added lots of filler and kept this thing going for another 6 months. Many authors who don't ghost write do this with their own novels. But these are books I don't enjoy reading. I want to see the story unfold at a brisk pace.

My client plans to self-publish.

Next, I will be given several chapters of a children's novel to finish. This time, my client insists that I keep the initial chapters intact and continue on from there. I'm not thrilled about this restriction, it's going to tie my hands more than a bit. I could do a better job if given carte blanche from the start as with the previous job. But I'm up for the challenge!

SHUT IN, BUT NOT OUT

This summer I'm pretty much cocooning. Between the oppressive heat outside and the scattered storms, staying indoors feels downright nice. Besides, I've got my ghostwriting job to keep me busy.

Once again, grocery shopping has become the highlight of my week. I find it a fun activity rather than a chore, although one fraught with many temptations.

Of course I can also be lured out of my lair by an exciting, action-packed 3-D movie or even an interesting 1-D film. And I still meet friends for lunch in town from time-to-time. Otherwise, I'm pretty much a shut-in again. However, this time it's on my terms and that makes all the difference.

Between my last 2 exotic trips, numerous house repairs, plus all those unexpected expenses; my savings are down to where they were a decade ago! So I'm back on a serious spending diet.

Also 2 friends are planning great trips and have invited me along. I want to go! Before long I may be too old, sick, or poor to travel. I want to make memories now! And I'm cutting back on everything else to afford it.

Recently, I've decided to let my short gray hair grow long. I'm tired of paying an obscene price just to have it trimmed every couple months! When long, I was able to cut it myself in 15 minutes or less! A close friend is quite upset with me over this. She claims I'm going to ruin my looks because short hair is more becoming on me. I disagree! During most of my 50's my hair was long and red which I colored myself, I constantly received complements. And I don't see the gray as being unflattering.

My air-conditioner remains set on 80 degrees to keep my bills down. Hey, it's better than the 90 plus outside! Inside, I walk around in the buff with my blinds drawn. I keep a caftan nearby to slip over my head in case a neighbor comes to the door or I need to go outside for mail or retrieve my garbage bin.

Thankfully my home is quiet, private, and serene again. During the repairs and inspections with the noise and all those strangers around, my comfort zone was not that comfortable!

Time passes quickly; the days go by fast, too much so. I just wish I could grab the minutes in my hands and savor each second. But they stream thru my fingers flowing in one direction. I know where that path leads or rather dead ends. Plus it's fraught with booby traps, quick sand, and snake pits along the way.  I've witnessed it thru the eyes of those who've passed before me. It's not a pleasant thought.

I am relishing the here and now, grateful for every moment of it.