hey!
Gosh, I tweeted this earlier but Thursdays DRAIN me. Let me just say, it is really draining to write a book. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out and throw my laptop far enough to reach Lake Tahoe.
Marcy and I really dig deep in our writing workshops and get between the lines, so to say. Having that much focus and concentration is exhausting. And then I come home with a stack full of edits and do the whole thing again. Someday it’ll all be done….someday. I’m looking forward to sending my manuscript in on April 1st and then catching a plane South for a week. Must just get through the rest of March…must.keep.going.
Marcy sent me this little bit on editing and its very, very true!
“Editing is just reading and re-reading hundreds of times until you
find yourself skipping certain parts you don’t want to read again.
Then you cut those parts. Also, you question the sentence, ask if
there’s a better way to say something, a verb that gets there quicker,
says more. Can you make one sentence do the work of two? Three?
Editing is a separate skill. Different from story telling. Some people
are good at making things up, creating fictional worlds, and other
people are good at crafting sentences. Some people are good at both.
Some people are able to take a hard look at who they are and write
about themselves with a breathtaking honesty that illuminates not just
them, but us. Some people have a strong understanding of narrative and
tension. Writing is made up of many skills working in concert and
writers gravitate frequently to the style that highlights what they’re
best at.”
“Editing is just reading and re-reading hundreds of times until you
find yourself skipping certain parts you don’t want to read again.
Then you cut those parts. Also, you question the sentence, ask if
there’s a better way to say something, a verb that gets there quicker,
says more. Can you make one sentence do the work of two? Three?
Editing is a separate skill. Different from story telling. Some people
are good at making things up, creating fictional worlds, and other
people are good at crafting sentences. Some people are good at both.
Some people are able to take a hard look at who they are and write
about themselves with a breathtaking honesty that illuminates not just
them, but us. Some people have a strong understanding of narrative and
tension. Writing is made up of many skills working in concert and
writers gravitate frequently to the style that highlights what they’re
best at.”
We met today at Coffee Catz, this great little spot in Sebastopol (I heart Sebastopol big time). I was starving for lunch after yoga so I got “Bev’s Breakfast Muffin”, which was an english muffin with two “steamed” eggs (scrambled by the steam on the espresso machine. how interesting!), a little cheese, tomato slices and avocado. It was awesome!
I got home later in the afternoon and HAD to clear my mind. Went for a two mile run (18 min) in the sunshine and it worked wonders. I made a green monster for a snack (and chugged water from an applesauce jar. no biggie)—
I used 1/2 banana, 4 frozen strawberries, 1 cup soymilk, 1 tsp maca and a bunch of spinach. A bunch of y’all have asked about the benefits of maca and here is a great article for you to read!
After a minor incident flooding my new neighbor’s garage while doing laundry (don’t ask), I didn’t have it in me to cook dinner but I was STARVING and needed food fast.
1/2 cup greek yogurt with a homemade vegan applesauce oat bran muffin, a little peanut butter, bonne maman, 1/4 cup TJ’s high protein cereal and 1/4th cup of this new granola I got in the mail today!
I was SO excited to try this after seeing it on a bunch of blogs over the past couple weeks. The verdict? Two big thumbs up. The granola was light and crunchy but not so crunchy it hurt your jaw (hey, some granola hurts my jaw!) and it was low in calories due to the fact that it was sweetened with fruit juice instead of sugar and contained miniscule fat. I’m a big granola fan and this might be my new favorite!
Dessert was this lovely chocolate covered graham cracker I bought impulsively while waiting for my sandwich to be ready yesterday after my long bike ride!
It was good but needed a roasted marshmallow. I never got my s’more last night and the craving still lives!
***
Thank you to everyone who donated for a chance to win the Garmin 705! Tickets are only $5….you don’t have anything to lose and every dollar counts in the fight against cancer!!!!
{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
Cheers to March, Jenna! :O) I am going through the same thing, except mine extends all the way through May – no trip home for me until then . .. but plenty of work to keep me busy, so can’t complain ! I know your book will be great and all your hard work will be worth it . .. especially when you’re sipping cafe au lait dans Paris!
Loooove what marcy sent you on editing! So true. I remember a creative writing prof once told me, editing–especially the act of cutting an entire sentence–often feels like killing your own child. A little dramatic–but so on point.
hmm, that granola looks/’sounds’ really good.. where can I get some? (rhetorical question, i can look it up hehe)
Just remember how worth all your hard work is!! you CAN do it
Sounds like you’re really headed towards the finish lines of your book. All the frustration, concentration, hard work, and dedication will serve you well when you see that finished product.
I’ve heard about steamed eggs before, and they sound delicious. Very fluffy and light, I would imagine.
I’ve totally been craving s’mores lately too! Guess I’ll have to wait over three more weeks until Lent is over. Enjoy one for me!
Hi Jenna! I agree that the Galaxy Granola is one of the best — I’ve been a longtime fan and really love the crunchy texture. I’m at that point when I’m counting down the days to vacation, too. I think it’s that time of year, eh?
I’m dying to try that granola!
mmm i love breakfast/dessert-type dinners!!!
Those Galaxy granola people are doing some seriously effective advertising right now. It seems like every blog I read, someone is talking about how awesome it is. I know I’m hoping I’ll run across some in the grocery store so I can try it for myself!
I can’t imagine how hard writing a book is…and the editing and revisions just seem too overwhelming for me! Great job though Jenna, before you know it the hard part will be over and you will be a published author!
ooooh Bev’s breakfast muffin looks so tasty! LOVE IT!!!!
I am sure that it will all ‘click’ before you know it 
And good luck with the writing
I’m getting that same granola in the mail sooooon. I can’t wait to try it. I like using oil in my granola because it gives it a nice crunch that non-oil granolas lack but it does add up after awhile.
You’re so close to the finish line and then you have PARIS to look forward to. You can do it! We’re all rooting for you.
March is a rough time for us workin’ folk, especially those in school (midterms, etc. and few breaks). We all just gotta keep on truckin’ and the sun will come (literally) soon enough!
I LOVE s’mores!! There is nothing better than running in the sunshine!!
I LOVE s’mores!! There is nothing better than running in the sunshine!!
Wow that email from marcy…wow! Amazing!
That breakfast “muffin” sounds super yummy! I’ve never imagined scrambling eggs with an espresso machine : )
Keep chugging along… I’m sure your final product will be fabulous!
You are almost there!!!! Keep chuggin’ along, my friend!
And I drink water out of Bonne Maman jars here in Paris – if that’s now eco-friendly recyclin, then I don’t know what is!
Our water drinking vehicles are just planet friendly
When April comes you will look back on this and say “I did it!” and that steamed egg sandwich looks divine!
Awh I feel for you, writing a book – it must be so much pressure
it’s hard enough just doing essays! Your eats look awesome though, especially that muffin 
I am a terrible editor. I can do it in a pinch but I’m not one to read things with a fine tooth comb. Good luck to you in these last stages of getting the book done.
I’m a fan of the steamed egg myself.
Just. Keep. Writing. You. Can. Do. It!!!
Great job on making headway on your book. That sandwich did look very delicious
That granola is one of my faves too. It’s very light and vanilla-y with an almond spin on things. It kind of reminds me of an almond macaroon.
Your book is on the right track…hang in there girly!
You’re doing great– just hang in there!! I remember being completely overwhelmed with my grad school thesis, and that was nothing compared to this, so I can’t imagine how stressful it must be…but it will be worth it when you’re done!
Thanks for the article about Maca; I just bought some yesterday for the first time!
I can’t even imagine the writing process…I’m glad to hear you talk about it “how it is” really though – it’s not romantic or perfect is it?
Interesting.
That granola looks awesome! Sometimes breakfast for dinner is just what you need. Easy, simple and delicious =D
xo
K
Oooh! That sucks about flooding the neighbor’s garage! Hope everything got worked out.
i need to check that granola out- it’s gotten a ot of thumbs up lately and i didn’t realize it was sweetened only with fruit juice; i usually avoid granola becuase of the sugar. chocolate covered grahams- yum!!!!
that’s really cool those eggs were scrambled with steam! very interesting…the whole sandwich looks great! i wonder if i have that stuff in the house…?
I bet writing is a really painstaking process. But so worth all of your efforts.
I love that chocolate graham. Last night I made a small bowl of S’More oatmeal for dessert. So delicious!! You should try it!
It sounds like you are doing an amazing job with your book! You are so dedicated, and I cannot wait to read it!
Love that about editing. In all my writing classes in college and high school people always asked me to edit there shit because I was brutal with a red pen. I love it!
march is hard it is a long month….keep plugging along….the end is near!
Wishing you the best of luck during the month, Jenna….
Love your friend’s quote about editing. I’ve never ever thought about it that way, but it’s all so true!
steamed eggs?? never heard of them…they look fantastic though!
Your’e almost done with your book! just a few more weeks (?) so crazy!
ah i will have to try that granola….bon courage with your writing and a bientot
the paris food blague
Writing must get muy frustrating sometimes, but you’re almost there! I understand the tired/not wanting to cook thing. I had a huge bowl of cereal for dinner the other night too, and it hit the spot! I think its time for me to get on this maca train!
I’m so glad avocados are in season, aren’t you? I made a mess of guacamole with my bf last night and we finished up the whole bowl! The granola looks great too! A good granola is hard to find…
Love that granola, and that piece on editing!
Good luck with your manuscript! Only a few weeks to go, you can do it!!
Marcy’s bit on editing is to true and she is an eloquent writer!
Cool email from Marcy! Keep your chin up Jenna and things will be fine.
zest
I can’t imagine that editing would be fun but worth it? yes. that breakfast sandwich looks wonderful.
Jenna,
What are your favorite healthy muffin recipes/mixes? I love to have a high fiber, good muffin for breakfast (maybe with some PB or AB….not gonna lie…). I like to bake them for the week ahead….do you have any recommendations? You always seem to have them around
Thanks so much!
Laura
OMG! Those steamed eggs just took me back to my favorite job ever!! I used to be a barista at this super funky cafe when I was 16-21. Long before Starbucks and friends took over the coffee world.
We used to have a menu item for Sunday brunch called “eggspresso”. It was a steamed egg omelete made on the espresso machine…and I was the freaking Queen of making those things just perfect! hehe.
Thanks for the memories!!!
I’m in love with the Galaxy granola. You have to try the cranberry orange, it’s my favorite.
As a journalism student, the editing tips Marcy gave you are extremely helpful! I just came across your blog, and I am loving it! I can’t wait to run outside when sunshine comes. I am excited to continue following..good luck finishing your book
When are you planning on moving!? I enjoy reading about your culinary pleasures in Cali and already anticipate the change and future blogs about your southern experiences! Perhaps you will find more hummmus!