Chapter 30~

Well, I did it. I cut the subplot and cleaned up the messes left behind—as far as I know. I have draft 10 out to betas right now to check for any lingering crumbs that no longer make sense. Where did it leave me? 96,485 words. Not 75,000. Like I needed it to be. Whatever, it’s the closest I’ve ever been. I should have my beta feedback by the end of this month and then… agents again?

Anyway, I’m turning 30 in a few days. : o It’s weird because when I turned 29 I decided, “Just call it 30 already. No need for the anticipation. I’m basically 30,” and now that I’m actually turning 30, its like I get to be 30 again or 30 for real. Man, it seems like a lot more when I write it down. Do I act 30? No. I act like a 2 year old cat. Meow hiss purr.

Tries to think about what else to say for this month. Oh, sure, we can talk about my view on aging. Cliche, but why not?

Silver hair. Gorgeous. Stop feeling ashamed of it. I know a person that got her first silver hair when she was 16. I got mine in my early 20s. I named it…something. Sterling? Carl? D,X I can’t remember the name, but I remember getting really excited about it. Silver hairs are like starlight streaking through the life you’ve led thus far. I lost my first one in the shower recently. Very. Very. Sad. Farewell, Sterling Carl. You never grew as long I told you to. > : (

Wrinkles. Mixed feelings. Growing up, there was the notion that all wrinkles were something to be hidden. I hate the idea of hiding natural human experiences like that. Shaming things like this creates a hegemony—only the young and beautiful are worthy. Ew. “Let’s celebrate who we truly are,” I say as I enjoy my surfacing wisdom lines and laugh lines. My smile becomes a narrow grimace as I notice wrinkles forming under my eyes too and where I will likely develop “frown lines.” I don’t have cool origin stories like “This meant you thought a lot or you laughed a lot,” for those. (Wisdom lines can also mean you were stressed a lot and laugh lines could be crying too, which is far more likely here. XD)

“Whatever,” I shrug. A name is only as powerful as the one who makes it known. An appearance becomes as attractive and young as the personality that wields it. Yes, Kuzco, I do have a great personality!

Physical aptitude. Hate. Rude. Die. Ugh. (No, wait, don’t die, I need you). Yeah, my body is the main thing telling me that I’m getting older. I have to be careful when I spontaneously join my cat in her zoomies, my ankles, knees, and back hate me and wish to bring about my literal downfall. This is because I don’t work out as much as I could/should. My adult characters in their respective armies are confused by my physical qualms. Oh yeah? Well, I’m confused in general, so hah! (This did not make any of my characters feel better about their lives, which I control.) (No, my confusion does not come from me getting older. That’s been here since the ADHD gremlins blessed me at birth. It’s cool. We’re cool…maybe.)

I think that’s all I have to say about that. Next, I’m off to make a new character scenario theme and run around randomly until I decide what to do while waiting for beta feedback on draft 10. I should work on fitting that subplot into draft 3 of book 2, buuuuut that takes official decision making and I want to chase the last hints of warmth and sun before winter covers the land in frigid false promises of snow.

You’re beautiful! Bye!