What Good is the Delete Button

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Hi Everyone,
 
My name is Donna and I write under D.V. Stone. Not for any particular reason except that is how I sign my name. I have two independently published books. Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar is a fantasy/romance. Agent Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake is a mid-grade. Recently I have been signed by Wild Rose Press for Rock House Grill. This is a contemporary romance and first in the Impact Series.
I love all different types of books and my writing reflect this. Fantasy, romance, mystery I read it all and write the same. The common denominator is hope and love (whether romantic, family or friend).A friend gave me a key chain that says Live the Life You Love. I consider writing to be my career. One which I love. I still work a paying job, but every chance I get, out comes the laptop, pen, or camera. 


My husband, Pete and I purchased an RV. One of the requirements for the purchase was a place for me to work. Taking my passion for writing on the road with me.
Ideas and inspiration are everywhere. 

Recently, another friend asked if I needed to be at my desk to create. The answer was a resounding no for me. Take for instance, one of the songs in a work in progress called Kingdom at a Crossroad was written while I worked the lumber desk at one of my jobs. 

Books have always been a major part of my life. From Little Golden Books, through the children’s classics like Heidi, Black Beauty, and Misty of Chincoteague, I’ve always enjoyed slipping away to another world. 

The authors and genres over the years have by turn made me laugh and cry. Sometimes they scared me to death or pushed me to the edge of my seat. 

So, in that spirit I hope to one day gift others with those emotions. Sit and laugh, cry, scream, or quietly contemplate. To take an adventure and visit new places. Make new friends and conquer some enemies.

Maybe you to have the wanderlust and we’ll meet in a campground or rest stop. 
In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost. 

J. R. R. Tolkien
Why do I write?
Get the paddles STAT!
Developing a story line is like an ECG. It must move along at a steady pace. Unlike a healthy heartbeat there also needs to be regular surges caused by Adrenalin. These would be the exciting parts. 

Unfortunately, too often writing hits irregular beats where a good critique is needed. If adjustments aren't made in time, an Author risks the dreaded block or flat line.

The good thing is if you have good characters and are willing to consider changing your "lifestyle" and make hard choices the work can be resuscitated. 

I'm in that place now. My work in process Jazz House is on the stretcher. I have a decision to make about a recurring character in the Impact Series and it's going to be painful. 

How about you? What in your life needs to be assessed and changed
Why do I write?
My delete button is tired
My husband has a love hate relationship with a Holly bush in front of my house. For years he’s tried trimming it to keep it under control. This past spring he’d had enough. Grabbing his saw, he went to the ground and cut it down. Funny thing, a couple of weeks later green started sprouting from the stump. Now he is carefully trimming to keep it from becoming an overpowering entity it once was. Not only is the Holly healthier so are the plants around it.

Many people think editing is chasing down grammar and punctuation issues. That’s true, but editing a novel is so much more. Often, it’s like pruning a tree or a bush. 

In a rush of emotion, words pour over the page often in an unruly fashion. Cohesion and logic take a back seat to growth. Once you take a step back the delete key becomes your surgical scalpel and critique partners your nurses. 

Editing used to be my arch nemesis but over the years I’ve come to that same love/hate relationship as Pete and his Holly bush. Sometimes my work is overwrought and drastic steps need to be taken. 

In the end though I’ve found the worth of a worn out delete button.