editing

Bring on 2026 | Get on with it!

/ J.R. Roper

What a year! I’ve referred to myself as a Dad-Taxi before, but 2025 hit a new level. I’ve been trying to rekindle/awaken my writing groove for a while now and found some glimmers of success over the past few months. I experienced the magic of early morning writing sessions and found a book, Save the Cat Writes Horror, which generated some breakthroughs on my current WIP. Sometime in the summer of 2025, I also asked myself why? What’s the point in doing this work?

Reminding myself of my why for writing was a really important moment this year and it was twofold. First, because it makes me feel whole. I feel better, like myself, when I’m writing regularly. I also remembered myself as a young adult. I didn’t enjoy reading until I discovered Harry Potter and from there, I became a life-long reader and eventually a writer. I am writing for myself when I was thirteen years old, books that would have inspired a love for reading had I never set foot in Hogwarts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. So what now? The new year presents a great opportunity for letting go of what hasn’t worked and reimagining what my life as a writer could be based on where I am right now, not where I was a decade ago when my kids were in bed before 8 pm and writing past midnight was the norm. 

So what am I working on? Well, it feels like something old (the first draft was finished in 2012), but based on the changes I’ve made, it is essentially a new project. I can’t give up on it until I have given it my all, and this rewrite will be just that. Wish me luck! I’m focusing on the NOW with this project. The only time that really exists is right now. Goals help us determine which direction to travel, but each step happens on a moment by moment basis. My motto for writing this year is: Get on with it. 

If you are reading this, thank you! I wish you peace during this holiday season and inspiration for the year to come. Live now, not in a past you cannot change, or a future that doesn’t exist yet. Whatever you’ve wanted to do, just get started. Get on with it. 

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

Writing Journal

/ J.R. Roper / Leave a comment

I have finished a major rewrite of my second novel and am beginning a new YA fantasy/mystery.

What I’m working on: Revisions of a short story.

What I’m listening to: Vampire Diaries soundtrack.

Why I’m happy: I can’t tell you yet 🙂

The devil on my shoulder says: Grading papers is overrated. Just write!

Writing Journal

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I’m working on: The never ending edit of book 2. But good news, I have a finish date in sight. I promised wifey a copy to read for spring break!

I’m listening to: 1,000 Ships by Rachel Platten (love her).

I’m happy because: I found a weekly goal system that works…most of the time it works. Okay, it has worked for a month. Good feelings about its chances, though.

The devil on my shoulder says: Coffee. NOW!

Don’t Threaten My Passion

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How do you know writing is a part of you? Somethingyou HAVE to do? After four years of writing and editing I still get butterflies when I finally have a few hours of unhindered writing time, which with a newborn can be hard to come by. The butterflies today reminded me of how important it is to make time daily. Honestly, I think my soul needs it.

My baby’s doctor said to keep doing what you are passionate about because happy parents are important for any baby’s well being. This, of course, made me love the man instantly.

Almost everyone (not including my wife, thank God) has made a comment about how I might as well give up writing because when you have a baby “your life will never be the same.”

Really? Babies change your life? What sage advice this was for me from the world’s wisest people. My son has changed my life for the better. He has given me new inspiration and someone to write damn good stories for. And when he is old enough to understand, he will know what it means to have a passion for something.

Forget about the naysayers and do what makes you happy. For me that is writing.

Joe the Planner (I thought it was plumber…)

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I’ve been wasting loads of time trying the write “organically” and not planning my story. I finally sat down and started mapping each character’s arc and underlined where their parts were the most interesting. Now I’ve got several scenes to add and lots of junk to cut, junk that was sending me down the wrong path and has been frustrating me for the last few months. And just in time for summer! This book will be done by August, when I will start a fresh project to complete during the school year.

Planning equals productivity.

Character Intimacy

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Creating characters and listening to them as I write their stories is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. But not every character feels as intimate as the next, which begs the question–why? Quite simply, underdeveloped backstory has not allowed me to discover what really ticks off my failing character. I have not figured out what or who they resent and why.

According to dictionary.com, resentment is the feeling of displeasure or indignation at some act, remark, person, etc., regarded as causing injury or insult. To feel resentment is to be human. How we react physically and emotionally when faced with the person who has injured us in some way ultimately reveals character. We can bottle our emotion and fight the battle internally, lash out at the person violently, or act anywhere in between. Resentment can eventually lead to forgiveness and healing, remain the same throughout life, or lead to acts of revenge.

Regardless of how you create characters for your stories, do not forget to consider who or what induces a negative reaction and how that will play a role in your story. It’s an easy topic to research. Just pay attention to your own feelings for a day.

Waiting and Writing

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This leaving the house and writing somewhere else is a great change of pace and might help me meet my goal of a finished book 2 by June.

What I’m working on:
Rewriting book 2, The Steel Spirit.

What I’m listening to:
A guy next to me talk in an Australian accent. I could listen all day.

Why I’m happy:
My house is full of fumes and I had to go to the coffee shop and write.

The devil on my shoulder says:
Git-r-done motivated writer.

Happy Bear

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I’ve finally crawled out of the cave and awoke from a deep writing hibernation. Now let’s hope that creativity springs forth like fresh flowers and not cottonwood pollen (my eyes are itchy just thinking about it). I raise my cup of coffee and begin.

I’m working on: Editing book 2.

I’m listening to: Adele: Someone like you

I’m happy because: I just am!

The devil on my shoulder says: Welcome back to thy keyboard. Here is a girl scout cookie as your reward.