Friday, December 20, 2019

Hiatus 9

From the mouths of babes!

Not sure if this will qualify for the blog hiatus, but it's relevant to my writing space, so maybe.

I am a frequent chauffeur to my three girls (ages 5, 5, and 7). They know I like nature and fields, and every time we pass a field, one of them inevitably says, "oh mommy, you DEFINITELY don't ever want that field to get destroyed" which is kind of odd and specific, but of course I agree. 

A few months ago, as I was cleaning my office, I came across a tiny slip of paper. In my 7yo's handwriting, it read, DESTROY THEM. Well, technically it said "Duastoy them" because she is learning to spell. I was suitably surprised, but couldn't help but think, what a great motto. I mean, for editing a mss that is way too long. 

I flipped it over, and on the back, which I realized was actually the front, it said, "My mom loves fields please don't". 

I keep it on my desk. Whenever I am discouraged about editing, I see "DESTROY THEM" and with that wisdom, I slash all those unnecessary words. Because really, it is a great motto.  

Hope your December will bring lots of good things, Janet.

15 comments:

nightsmusic said...

That's sweet! Kids can be so charming and sweet.

Then they turn into teenagers.

Cherish that reminder.

Cecilia Ortiz Luna said...


Yes, duastoy those darlings, OP!

What a pure and heartwarming plea from a loving daughter.

Kitty said...

OP, I hope you keep those 'notes' as well as a journal of what they say. Believe me, you'll never regret it.

Lennon Faris said...

Duastoy them!! Thanks for the story, Janet.

The Noise In Space said...

Oh my god. This is hysterical and charming!

E.M. Goldsmith said...

That's so adorable it hurts. Wow. Kids, huh?

Yvonne Osborne said...

At first I thought....wow, what a great cover for a scary story!

That's an awesome note, definitely one worth keeping,and of course apropos to your line of work.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!

Melanie Sue Bowles said...

Love this...!

Android Astronomer said...

Simply marvelous.

At least the note didn't say, "TO SERVE MAN".

nightsmusic said...

Android Astronomer I loved that episode!

Love your name too :)

Craig F said...

I see as a great way to remember the first rule of editing: Don't edit the magic out of your work, or turn it to mud

Katja said...

Good girl, good GOOD girl - looks after the environment AND her mommy!
<3 <3 <3

Theresa said...

A wonderful story!

Ellis Tandy said...

I would love everything about this even if I didn't have a monster MS to prune this Christmas break!

Alyssa R said...

That's adorable! I'll definitely keep that advice in mind! (Duastoy them all! Except the fields. Fields good. Duastoy the unnecessary words, like these ones inside the parentheses.)