Poo Todd

Anyone who has read THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO knows where I’m coming from with that title. One of the things I like about getting involved in a book is how it takes over my head. I get up in the morning and become Todd’s talking dog, Manchee. I’m not finished reading this one, so I’m still immersed. I’m swimming in New World waters as I wander through my day.

Previously, I read several books in a row that were written in present tense. It seemed to be a trend. And for the books I was reading, it worked. It also got under my skin. The next think I knew, I saved off a copy of my current ms and rewrote the entire thing in present tense. As I drew near the final chapter a dawning realization began to warm my brow. Rays of awareness illuminated me. I stopped in mid stride and spoke into my writing space. “This sucks!”

Damn.

I had even made improvements to the text beyond changing tense. I couldn’t go back to the previous version without losing a great deal.

Now, I have changed it back to past tense and I’m in love again. That was a close call.

I’ve got to learn to filter better. I mean, as I read THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO, it’s not like I want to start spelling words like creachers or selecshun.

“Spell check, Todd.”

“I know, Manchee. I know.”