The Bi-Weekly Report From Rabbit Burn

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John Ramsey Miller

As I’ve written here, I’m probably going to try my hand at going straight to eBook with my next novel. I’ve been dragging my feet for a year or so, tinkering with two manuscripts, and thinking about what I want to do going forward. Since I have no publisher on the hook for this closest one, I had no editor to guide me. I need a heavy handed editor to tell me what I should already know and point to where I should know to go. I have been told on numerous occasions my talent is of the raw variety and can be lacking in the focus department. I have heard it over and over from the best editors in the business—and I’ve worked with the best. So I found a veteran editor who left NYC for the wilds of Ohio and who is raising a family instead of a brood of needy authors. So I have ten pages of notes in a chapter-by-chapter dissection. Great stuff, and I’ve got a hearty rewrite in my near future.

For the past two weeks I’ve been clearing a couple dozen trees—cutting them down, sectioning the trunks, splitting them, dragging the limbs into the pasture behind my four-wheeler, and stacking the wood to burn this winter. I’ve got central heat, but we like the wood-burning stove. I’m actually cutting the trees to make a yard in the ex-woods for the grandkids. I’ll build a fort, move the trampoline over and have a place kids will enjoy. My grandson has been here for three weeks. I work and he collects lizards and bugs in jars. Every night we release his catch so they can go home to their mamas. Weather has been wonderful.
Cool.
Bright
Clear.

I have not been writing, and that’s the thing I’m writing about.
I’ve been living life and thinking about writing as I go through the days.
Doesn’t matter at the present, but it might tomorrow.

I turned 62 last week.
Didn’t hurt a bit.
Didn’t mind it.

Next week I’m going to talk with my editor and start a long overdue rewrite. Then we’ll see.
I’ll keep you posted.

8 thoughts on “The Bi-Weekly Report From Rabbit Burn”

  1. The sounds of a contented life. I’m happy for you, John. And belated good wishes for your birthday.

    I smiled reading about your grandson’s affinity for critters. Reminded me of how I grew up, particularly my little bro, lizard boy.

    Keep up the hard work. Sounds like you’re on the right track on everything.

  2. I have been told on numerous occasions my talent is of the raw variety and can be lacking in the focus department.

    Raw talent can’t be taught, though a good teacher can help set loose what the writer has inside him. Focus is a matter of craft, and can definitely be taught. A good editor is just the ticket. It’ll be fun to see what comes out of this for you, John. Guaranteed publication is a nice thing in the e-world. Consider doing some stories, too. Volume is a key element to self-pubbing. Enjoy!

  3. I like raw veggies. But slightly cooked brings out the flavor. My meat needs to be medium rare, close to raw but cooked enough that bad things the edges are cleaned up. Raw writing, cleaned to sear in the flavour and sprinkled with a bit of salt can be mighty tasty.

    By the way, your picture made me yearn for home on the old homestead. Nothing makes me more nostalgic than cutting and burning firewood.

  5. Emotionally honest posts such as this one are the real reason I follow writing/author blogs, as they prove to me that what I am doing and dreaming of are experienced by writers of all calibre’s and experience levels.

    Besides, what is more fun than watching a child’s fascination with caught critters and their eventual release?

    I’ll be interested to hear how the ‘straight to ebook’ process pans out.

  6. It sounds like you are enjoying yourself. The creative process includes time away from the keyboard, so even though you are not writing, your brain is getting ready. When it’s time to return to the home office, you’ll know. In the meantime, enjoy the woods and the grandkids and the surroundings of nature, and good health to you on this birthday and many more to come.

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