I’m on the homestretch of a deep, final edit of my memoir, Stitching a Patchwork Life, and have found this the most fascinating part of the entire writing journey. The draft topped out at 115,000 words and my goal has been to reduce the manuscript to about 95,000, or less, words.
Today I broke through the 100,000 milestone and closed out the day at 99,902 words. I 
celebrated with a cup of tea! Now, with seven chapters remaining to edit, I know I’ll meet my goal. As the words melt away while I focus on one paragraph and then the next, my writing becomes more concise and I can both sense and see the story transforming from an adolescent phase of writing into a mature form. It’s exhilarating.
On another note, some of you know I’ve been working at losing weight. (That story is here.) As I worked out on my treadmill yesterday morning, part of walking my ten thousand steps daily, I had a sudden thought: my manuscript and I – we are both slimming down.
Such a good feeling!
Wishing you each a fine weekend.
Congratulations, Mary Jo. You are on a roll!
GO girlfriend !!! Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you!!!
Thank you, Sue!
Thank you so much, Marjorie! It’s been a long time coming!
Looking forward to reading your slimmed down memoir one day, Mary Jo!
Thank you, Martha. I’m honored. You’ll get to meet my dual-diagnosed sister, Jackie.