Puppies and Revision

We’ve had Kirby with us for nine days now, and in that time he’s lost his squishiness and gotten serious about growing long legs. He’s learned his name, how to bark, is working on what should happen inside a house and what outside, and understands and is respectful of the cat’s boundaries. He’s excited about getting to know the world beyond the yard. He’ll start puppy classes next week and I hope he’ll learn, as toddlers must, that 3 a.m. is not a preferred time to play. Yes, he’ll learn. He wants to please and loves us, as we do him, though there are of course those normal puppy pulls toward trouble.

Besides opening and closing the door a lot, I’ve loved having a companion as I write. A few weeks ago, I took a break from my novel to look at a manuscript turned down, albeit with compliments, five years ago. I’d remembered it fondly, but when I gave it a new look, saw it needed more than dusting. I changed the main character’s age, so must create lots of new dialogue, and lopped off a major plot thread to bring out the bones. Which let new ideas slip in. What I thought might take a few days when I first brought the manuscript back into daylight, is taking weeks, but feels well worth it. Much is getting trimmed and more being rewritten, but there’s still a basic trust of the people and place I can lean on, and make me feel sure enough of my scissors and pen. And I’ve learned some things in five years, which I can put to use. Hurrah for second, or multiple, chances. And patience.