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LFTR – I learned that I’m too freakin wordy!

Hello all of you Lessons from the Road readers. I hope this post finds you happy and healthy. I learned a valuable lesson today that I thought I’d like to share with you. I’ve been concentrating on getting the book finished and out the door, the last couple of months. Well I just finished up my last Chapter of Lessons from the Road – US and sent it to my awesomeness editor Jill, for edits. In all of my professional life whenever I have had an interview and the interviewer has asked me that time honored question, ‘Margaret what is your biggest weakness?’ I’d always respond without hesitation that I’m math impaired. Not to insult anyone by being politically incorrect or anything but I often refer to my math as, retarded Margaret math. The sad thing is I was put in a job in my IT work that is almost all math, even though I told them I was not well suited for the job and guess what, I think that my math skills have not dramatically improved over the years one little bit. Why do I bring this little tidbit about me up in this blog? Well, I had taken a writers class that indicated that an average novel is between 60k and 100k words. Most are around 70 thousand words. As I’m writing my chapters, I’m keeping track of my word count in my head. Bad bad bad mistake! So I’m thinking, ‘Gee, I must be close to 70k words.’ I did the calculation on a calculator, I’m at 107,763 words!!! I could have stopped writing a month ago. Note to self, write down the word count upon the completion of each chapter. So now, I think a bit of serious editing is in order. 🙂 but I hate to pull out too much because there is seriously funny shit throughout each and every chapter. I’m sure I’ll agonize over that for a few weeks, however, I do feel that I’ve passed a huge milestone and I feel like a celebration is absolutely in order. So because I can’t eat any carbs or drink any carbs, I guess the best I can do is a little victory dance! Go Margaret, Go Margaret, Go Go Go Margaret! That’s me singing in my head! Hey Hey!!!!! I’ll have plenty of left over material for Lessons from the Road – US 2
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That’s me with Christina sporting a magic hat in Paris!

Books

Lessons from the Road USA

Lessons from the Road, USA shares the travel adventures of a funny, single, 50-something year-old woman, traveling across the U.S. in a pickup truck. Webster is navigationally challenged and yet strangely addicted to camping sites and critters. She visits monuments of historical or personal significance and meets some fascinating people along the way!

Coming Soon!

Lessons from the Road RV

Join Margaret as she shifts from her tent to a new RV. This book is a must-read for anyone who owns, or is thinking of owning an RV to travel full-time.

Podcasts Featuring Margaret

Get Focused Episode 80

Episode 80: Meet Margaret Webster, author of “Lessons from the Road: USA”

4 Responses

  1. Go, Margaret!!! Congratulations!! You are an inspiration!

    Hope you had a wonderful day celebrating the renewal of life! I had a very awesome few days culminating in a calm but powerful breakthrough in healing and growth! Never thought it would happen. Just shows that we should never stop trying. Lots of love, Anne

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  2. Hey Margaret! You know, you can edit thousands of words without losing content. I can provide a relevant example if you like. Send me a text with your email if you are so inclined. I am quite jealous of all the time you’ve been spending in Portugal. I met some fellow bike tourers the other day and they told me their best bike tour ever was through Portugal. I’m gonna have to get there!

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