This is K.M. Island, and you are listening to the 79th episode of the Word Play Podcast.

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas yesterday.

I have every intention of presenting myself with the belated Christmas gift of a finished

manuscript.

I had to do some revamping of my outline, which resulted in the deletion

of about 4,000 words, and left me with just five chapters between me and the end of that first

draft. This is always a jittery time for me. I want to savor my last moments in the story,

but I'm also in a rush to reach the finish line and reward myself with a happy dance around

the house and lots of chocolate.

Or maybe it'll be left over Christmas cookies this year.

Stay tuned. I may not be able to share the cookies, but I'll definitely be sharing my excitement.

Resist the urge to explain.

The latest post in the video series on my blog

shows how an annotated volume of George Elliot's classic, Silas Marner,

sapped the story's power through over-explanation.

You can watch the video on my blog at Wordplay-K-M-Y-L-N-D that's debut E-L-A-N. B B log spot.

New videos are posted every Wednesday.

Meanwhile, enjoy this week's podcast.

Eight reasons whether is a writer's friend.

Ever since Edward Boer Litton slapped readers with his infamous dark and stormy nightline,

writers everywhere have been leery of misusing weather in their stories.

After all, who among us wants a contest for the worst opening lines and fiction named after us?

...