Excavation

My last writing teacher gave me the feedback, “Rough up your characters—they are too nice.” My current writing coach says I need to go deeper—no one wants to hear from a hyper-organized, financially secure woman with an adoring husband and two sweet sons. People like that make you want to puke. Did I mention I already have my taxes filed?

I don’t want to make up struggles. I don’t think it’s that hard to keep your act together. You get yourself out of bed in the morning, pour yourself a strong cup of coffee and start hacking away. Then, at night, after your glass (or two) of wine, you climb back into bed and if all are merciful, you fall asleep early enough so you can get up the next day and do it again. Those of us who are truly blessed will have friends and laughter along the way to help us get through without wanting to kill some fool.

I was supposed to be halfway along my “Leaving California” journey this month, but since we decided to stay another year, I am suddenly only one-quarter of the way there. I had big plans for my “midway” blog post, too. Now that I have more time, though, I can get out the shovel, and maybe a few picks, and really start to unearth what is down there.

Nothing worth learning comes easy.