If you're a writer, I highly recommend Natalie Whipple's “Stages of Editing” post from her blog Between Fact & Fiction. You will not regret the time spent reading it. I plan to print and bookmark the page, and review her list when I start revisions at the beginning of February.

One thing that jumped out at me was that she does multiple plot revisions. I thought, “Wow, so I should just relax and get it on paper, and quit worrying about getting it perfect!” Well, duh, but I've been struggling with this all week. I'm in the middle of the book's climax and it doesn't feel big or drawn out enough, and I'm not 100% sure of the best way to get my characters out of it.

I need to go back to my Rule of Six lists and just keep writing.

My favorite Nora Roberts quote seems appropriate here: “You can fix a bad page. You can't fix a blank one.”

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The Daily Squirrel: swim

Her breath echoed in her head, the water muffling the outside noise as if her ears were plugged. She kicked her legs and pushed through the water, free from the sounds of ringing phones, office chatter, and her boss's booming voice.

Peace.

At the end of the lane, she flipped and pushed off the wall, weightless and swift as the water cradled and caressed her. Free of the pantyhose that left a red ring on her waist for hours after she removed them. Free from the fashionable heels that had her hobbling by the end of the day.

Bliss.

Oh, to be a fish and never have to come up for air.