Is anything you write ever really finished?

I imagine that even the great ones like Stephen King picks up one of his novels from time to time and thinks to himself, "This would have worked better had I written such and such." I find myself editing pieces I finished years ago and was quite proud of at the time because I think another word or expression is a better fit. As a writer I have to ask...

Is anything we write ever finished?

I'm guessing that's why so many writers are driven to get things published. It forces us to move ahead with new work rather than continuing to edit our old work. If it's published, it has to be finished, right? Well, the jury is still out on that one. I find myself sometimes wanting to edit pieces that have been published as well. It's a sickness... or a curse perhaps that follows a writer throughout their life. Little thoughts that creep into our minds in the wee hours of the night. As I read something I've written I'm reminded us of what could have been, or could be. This logic of self doubt and analysis applies even to works I've been told are quite good.

Writers are constantly growing their craft. We are constantly learning. It's what makes us unique and entices people to read what we write. Even this short piece written for my BLOG will never be finished. I'll come back to it and discover new things I want to say and ways I want to say it.

Fortunately with a BLOG, I can edit and republish as many times as I like!

Until next time...

Somebody Wake Me Before I'm Dead

Yawn, was I sleeping? Apparently so... there's drool on my keyboard and I have what may be a permament indention of several keys on my cheekbone. I don't know what happened? I was energized, creative, full of ideas, fearless of editors. In short, I was writing and I was loving it. And then... it was dark.

I'm pretty sure I haven't been in a coma the past few months. No out of body experiences I can recall. Didn't win the lottery or have an affair with Angelina Jolie. So I really have no good excuses other than I've been so busy living I forgot to live.

I feel really alive when I write. There is something liberating about it. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what I write, you can't take it away from me. My words are all mine, an expression, all mine, of a particular moment in time.

It's time to get back to living. Come along if you like... it will be a fun ride.