Sheltering in Place

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Instant Quiz

Can you improve the sentence below? Scroll to the bottom of today’s post for the answer.

I’m currently writing a book about Bernard Shaw.

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I used to dance five days a week. They’re down to zero. The Shaw conference in Spain has been postponed. The dance cruise to Norway was cancelled. I didn’t get to see my Shaw friends at a drama conference in Orlando last week – it too was cancelled.

No walking to Egg Haven for breakfast with Charlie. And – worst of all – no hanging out with our friends at the donut shop every afternoon.

But there’s a silver lining. I am working on a book about Shaw. No distractions! Gobs of free time! I’m thinking about dedicating the book to the coronavirus.

The book – alas – is a mess. Last year I had a lot of fun writing the first chapter. I was really happy with it – but I haven’t been able to write the second chapter. I have a computer folder full of chapters that broke down on page three or four.

When the COV-19 advice to stay home came along, I made a vow. I’m going to write my book! I sat down every day to write – and couldn’t get past page two of the second chapter. Page two! Am I losing my touch?

Last Tuesday night, as I was falling asleep, I finally came up with the answer. I hate to admit it, but it’s something I’ve known for at least 20 years: Figure out what your keyword is, and use it to write a thesis statement.

The next morning I ran to my computer, typed my thesis statement, and started developing it. I wrote three pages,  and they have held up! Since then I’ve been chugging along, and the chapter is almost finished.

Writing is…weird. This book has been fighting me tooth and nail, and the sensible thing would be to quit. But – damn it – it’s so much fun! There’s a whole merry-go-round of ideas swirling around in my head, if I could only get them to stop spinning and line up nicely.

Will there be a Chapter Three? Will I remember to look for a keyword and use it to write a thesis statement? Will I ever get this @#$%! book finished? Stay tuned!

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Instant Quiz ANSWER

You don’t need “currently.” (Now is another word you can often omit.) Good writers make every word count!

I’m writing a book about Bernard Shaw.  BETTER

What Your English Teacher Didn’t Tell You is available in paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon.com and other online booksellers.[image error]

“A useful resource for both students and professionals” – Jena L. Hawk, Ph.D., Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

“Personable and readable…Jean knows her subject forwards and backwards.” – Adair Lara, author of Hold Me Close, Let Me Go