Clearing the Trail

The heavy snow a few weeks ago followed by heavy rain brought down several trees—mostly Virginia pines—on our farms.

Virginia pines grow fast and the roots don’t run deep, so they’re vulnerable to up-rooting. They’re not especially valuable trees—they’re good for pulpwood but have no other commercial value. Mostly they provide some shelter for the hardwoods that will eventually take over.

A few downed pines took some other trees with them when they fell and blocked my horse and hiking trails. Maggie and Hubert could get through, but I couldn’t.

John takes his chainsaw to the mess:





Metaphorically, I’ve taken a chainsaw to the first chapter of my current work in progress, and the manuscript is better for having the deadwood cleared. I’ve been workshopping this particular YA novel through two writing groups—Lake Writers and Valley Writers—and both suggested some changes in the first chapter.

I cut some stuff and split chapter one into two chapters. Then I planted some new ideas and complications.

My manuscript is now way better than it was.

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