Word Surgery

Recently I was asked to write an article for a publication and, when I inquired about word count, I was told that any length would be fine. I submitted an article of 1,200 words.

Having a lot of experience editing newsletters, I suspected that the editor would change her mind about word count when she tried to fit the article into the available space. Sure enough, she contacted me later and asked me to cut it down to 600 words.

There was a time when I would have panicked at such a request, but no more. Lately I've had a lot of practice performing word surgery.

I often cut down articles I've written, sometimes nearly in half. And I've spent the last few months editing a book of theology to about half its original length. That was definitely the biggest challenge of my editing career.

So editing my 1,200-word article down to 600 words didn't intimidate me. I hardened my mind and sharpened my scalpel.

It's tough to see beloved words, phrases, or even whole paragraphs excised. But undergoing the knife generally produces a leaner and healthier result.

Excuses, Excuses

When I began this blog, I promised myself that I would never begin an entry by apologizing for the length of time since the last one. And that I would never claim that overused excuse of being busy.

It's been over a month since my last entry, however, and all I can say is that I've been---well---busy.

I know most people feel as if they're just as busy as they could possibly be. Even that carrot of having more time during retirement can be elusive. Most retired folks I know say things like, "I'm busier than ever" and "I don't know how I got it all done when I worked."

Sometimes it seems to me that--for as busy as I am--I should be earning a lot more money. Then I think of the many people who would like to quit their full-time job in order to write and remind myself that I was fortunate enough to be able to do just that. My work is a blessing.

But my work has a parasitical element. Since I have a home office, it's difficult to get away from my work. And since I have constant deadlines, it's difficult to find an opportunity to get away. I have this physical presence of my work always with me, like a parasite that absorbs my energy.

And when my work becomes too busy, I feel like Humphrey Bogart when he wearily climbs back into the "African Queen," covered with blood-sucking leeches.

So today I'm reminding myself that leeches were once used for healing.