Dear Editor

Dear Characters,

How do you do it? How do you make me feel every emotion possible? How do I not explode when I read or write your stories? You make me crazy. . .  maybe I am crazy. That's it. It's official. I'm crazy!

Insanely yours,

Author

Dear Social Media Marketing,

I'm tired. I wish you would do all the work yourself, but alas, that is not possible. Now back to all that posting, tweeting, and blogging. . .  oh wait, I am blogging. Good. That's something. Right?

Exhaustedly,

Writer

Dear Punctuation,

I. Hate. You.

Enough said,

Novelist

Dear Editor,

Why do I feel like no matter how many times I go through my manuscript that there still needs to be things fixed. Will it ever be done? Will I ever finish? 

Doubtfully,

Author

Dear . . . ?

Wait. What just happened?

Sincerely,

Confused

Dear Editor

Dear Quotation Marks,

You might make up 90% of the punctuation in my books, but you really are obnoxious.
That's all.

Shifting up,
Author

Dear Stories in my Head,

I know you're in there. I also know you are eagerly waiting to come out. Right? Hello?
Seriously, I know you're there. Come on novels, show yourselves!!!

Sigh,
Frustrated Writer

Dear Already Published Books,

Okay, so your siren call will no longer work on me. I have my own stories to tell and I can't be all distracted by you and your cleverly written plots and discount prices on Amazon Kindle. Really, this has got to stop. I don't have time for this.

Seriously,
Just One More Novel

Dear Protagonist,

I'm sorry I've made it so hard for you to obtain your goal, but really you'll thank me in the end when you've grown and gained strength that you didn't know you had. I promise it will all be worth it . . . well okay most of it will be worth it.

Sincerely,
Author

Dear Editor

Dear Fantasy Novel,

I know you are waiting with baited breath for me to finish you, but right now I've got romance on the brain, so you'll have to wait. Sorry,

Sincerely Yours,

Romance Author

Dear Sequel,

Yes, we've got sort of a timeline, but I have research to do, along with all the flying stuff that makes your existence possible. Patience. Be like the characters: anxious and waiting. :)

Thoughtfully yours,

Published Author

Dear Romance,

Why is it when I think one thing is going to happen that you twist me around and make something entirely different happen? Really? Come on, I thought I had you all planned out in my head and you go and change things. Grrr. Don't get me wrong, I know the changes are for the better, but seriously.

Halted in Love and Happy Endings,

Author

Dear Middle Grade Fiction,

You are the hardest one of all to work on. This time of year is especially hard, so as in patience you have begun, so in patience you will continue. Someday we will complete this journey together and you will be amazing and hopefully you will be able to help others cope with the loss that I have dealt with.

Thankfully yours,

Melanie Mason

Dear Editor

Dear New Characters,

Maybe you haven't gotten the memo yet, but I'm the author. You really should do what I tell you, except for the fact that what you end up doing is probably so much better than what I would have told you in the first place. So, I guess you just go on doing what you're doing and I'll deal with it.

Okay, I guess you can ignore the memo. Apparently I'm not the author, I'm just the crazy writer who reads books in her head and happens to write down what goes on in there. In fact, maybe, I'm just crazy. Well, not really crazy, everything has a purpose and of course eventually I will find out what that purpose is, but of course it will be by the end of the book and by that time I really will be going crazy and then I'll reach the end of your story and think this is the end. That's the point when you laugh your evil (well I guess you're the protagonist so your laugh isn't evil) laugh and kindly inform me that this is only book one of three.

It might as well be book one of 100 because now I have to go through the pain and frustration of writing all the rest of your story before I can find out what FINALLY happens and through it all you'll be put through pain and suffering both mental and physical because of course your story would be really boring without all the pain and suffering stuff.

And of course the pain and suffering I put you through is payback for the fact that you aren't a stand alone book and there are at least two more books I have to write. Really, that's just mean. Why can't you just resolve your issues in 80,000 words? Oh, because there are two of you and you both have to make sure you have equal protagonist rights. Got it. So not only do I have to give you equal rights and attention you both have to have your own book and your own sets of troubles, trials, and suffering.

Then to make things worse you go and complicate matters in the entire Seven Realms, so OF COURSE, now I have to write a whole third book just to resolve the problems you really started by being who you are. To top all that off I had to go and create a whole world with crazy cities and towns with weird names and naming characters that have gifts and issues. It's not easy you know. I do have a full time job that I have to work and a life beyond my writing. How do you expect me to function when you are constantly there in the back of my mind taunting me with your story and the excitement of something new and wondrous.

Why can't we all just get along really? I could resolve you in 10,000 more words, but of course you would the most boring story ever and we can't have that. Ugh. I knew when I had that dream to get you started that I should have just stuck with the 50,000 word romance. What was I thinking? Apparently I wasn't. (sigh)

Grudgingly yours,

Melanie Mason, Author

Dear Editor

Dear Inner Editor,

Yes, you, the one in my head that won't stop critiquing. I get it!!! I need to work on everything, nothing will ever be good enough to print again. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Go away before I ax all my main characters and burn my laptop.

You heard me,
MMason


Dear Real Editor,

You there, the nice one who actually helps my writing be better. Thank you. I appreciate you. Keep up the good work. Just ignore the angry inner editor that wants to scrap every story, she'll get a good night's sleep and feel better in the morning. Thanks again for your help.

Gratefully Yours,
MMason

Dear Editor

Dear Author,

I'm here. I'm waiting. I will be an amazing character. I will make you laugh. I will make you cry. I will drive you crazy. I will make you fall in love with me. I just need you to open up and let me out.

Anticipatingly yours,
New Story

Dear New Story,

I know you're in there. I've heard you whispering to my mind. I want to let you out and introduce you to the world, but I'm not quite ready yet. Give me a little more time and I promise you will come alive.

Patiently,
Author

Dear Job,

Sometimes I wish I could just ignore you and completely lose myself in writing, but unfortunately you are what allows me to keep writing. I'm glad to have you.

Sincerely,
Writer

Dear Mommy,

Why do you keep tapping that cold metal thing with your fingers. You give that thing more attention than you do me. I'm so much cuter and warmer and softer. I lick your face and give you love, but you just tap away for hours on end. What is so great about that. It doesn't even squeak. Come on, just put it down and throw that toy, or better yet get me a treat. I promise I will lay down and leave you alone if you'll just feed me and play with me and take me for a walk. If not then I will be forced to used drastic measures.

Hopefully waiting,
Jetfire

Dear Jetfire,

You cute little dog. I love you so much, but not so much when you lay across my chest and block my view of the computer screen, or when you walk all over my keyboard wreaking havoc on my story. I love that you want me to give you attention, and I promise I will take you for a walk and play with you just as soon as I finish this chapter. Now go and lay down. I'll call you when I finish.

Distracted,
Mommy

Dear Editor

Dear Editor,

I'm so tired of editing. Aren't we done yet? When will the pain be over?

Sighing,

Author

Dear Editor,

Thank you!!! You're the best. This book is getting even better with every edit.

I can't wait to continue editing and making these awesome changes!

You Rock!

Joyfully,

Author

Dear Editor,

Haven't we done enough? How can you possibly expect me to add even more 

pain and suffering on these poor characters? Stop the madness!!!

Aggravated,

Author

Dear Editor,

You were so right, that character needed the growing experience. I can't believe

how much better this is with those changes. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Elated,

Author

Dear Editor,

Grrrrrrrrr!!!

Author

Dear Editor,

:D!!!!!!!

Author

Dear Editor

Dear Publisher,

The Line That Divides looks amazing! Thank you.

Excitedly,
Melanie Mason

Dear Book Store,

I'm so glad you finally have my books on the shelves. They look so pretty all stacked there. I think I'll take a picture. :)

Cheese,
M Mason

Dear Storm,

Wow, I can't believe I have ignored you so completely. But don't fret, you've been on my mind and I will come and work with you some more real soon. Probably on the first, since I will be at a hotel with not much else to do. Yay!

Hopefully,
Author

Dear Laptop,

What is up with you? You have no business having any issues with typing and connecting and stuff like that. Stop it! I need to you to work. Now more than ever. (pause) Thank you. That's better.

Relieved,
Writer

Dear Romance Story in my head,

I know you've been pestering me and picking at my mind. I know you're in there and that you are just bursting at the seams to come out, but you'll just have to wait a little bit longer, I have other projects to finish and work on. Don't worry, we'll get to know each other really soon. 

Promises,
Romantic Author

Dear Editor

Dear Editor,

Whew, I'm so glad that is done! It's going to be fantastic! I'm so excited to finally see it in print. Thank you for all your hard work in polishing The Line That Divides.

Sincerely,

Melanie Mason Author


Dear Storm,

I'm so sorry I ignored you for nearly two weeks. Please forgive me. It will be worth it in the end, I promise.

Very Tiredly Yours,

Author


Dear Reading Glasses,

The fact that I even have to use you makes me feel old, and I'm Not Old! (Sigh)
Thanks for making things on my computer screen clearer.

Grudgingly,

Tired Eyes


Dear Laundry, Living Room, Kitchen, and Bathroom:

Editing comes first, cleaning later. Sorry.

Distracted,

Me


Dear Clock Ticking On The Wall,

Why is it that when I start it is so early and yet it feels late, but after I've been involved in my writing it IS so late and yet feels so early? Explain this to me. Can you also explain why you have to move so quickly on my day off and so slowly when I have to work? Especially when I have TONS of writing stuff to do? Grrrrr.

Tick Tock,

One who is ready to pull the batteries

Dear Editor

Dear Readers,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so supportive and enjoying my work. I hope to have many more things available for you in the near future.

Sincerely,
Author


Dear Publisher,

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so excited to have The Line That Divides published!

Excited out of this World,
Melanie Mason


Dear Doggie,

I know you want all my undivided attention, but I really have to finish editing this chapter right now. I love you. Now go away.

Kiss and Tail Wags,
Owner


Dear Keyboard,

Why is it when I type a word, that I have tos lip my spaces int he wrong places, making spellc hecker go crazy and editing veryh ard? Grrrr.

Miss-spaced,
Writer

Dear Lucky,

I am pretty sure you will be the hardest novel I will ever write, though I am hoping that you will touch and strengthen readers everywhere if, when I get you done.

Sobs and Tissues,
Emotionally wrung

Dear Editor

Dear Readers,

I am so happy to finally be able to offer you all a finished product.
I hope you enjoy it. Thank you all for your love and support!

Sincerely,
Melanie Mason

Dear Editor,

Well we have begun book 2. I can already tell it is going to be an amazing adventure.
And along with all adventures there will be pain and suffering, :) LOL, as well as discovery and joy!
Thank you!

Ready and Willing,
Me

Dear Auto-correct,

No, No, No! That's not the word I wanted there. Why can't you get it through your annoying computer brain. How many times do I have to type this before you get it. Grrrrr!

Frustratedly yours,
Typed the right word in the first place

Dear Brain,

I know you're tired, but surely you have a few more good editing sessions in you, right? No?
Fine. Maybe I can inspire you by reading a good book. How about one we need to edit. :)

Hopeful we can finish this,
Author

Dear Fantasy Novel,

I never realized just how boring you were until I started working on my dystopian stuff. We really need to work on your excitement level, especially since you are the one who started this whole process in the first place.

Let's talk...or edit,
Looking for more excitement

Dear Editor

Dear Fire

Well you are finished. I know the ending is not what you'd like, but what did you expect? Seriously. We all knew how this was going to end.

Grieving with you,
Storm

Dear Serial Comma,

Why oh why can't I remember to add that last comma to my list. I'm fairly certain my editor has a permanent comment for whenever she discovers you. Let's try and get it together, shall we?

Sincerely,
Writer




Dear Dryads,

I'm planning on visiting today so get ready to rock. I have finished with the Fire, but I'm a little depressed so be ready for some tough times.

Sincerely,
Magical Anticipation

Dear Editor,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are making the Storm so good. I don't even mind the painfully large number of yellow boxes that accompany each edit. You rock!

Thank you,

Dear Knights in Shining Armor,

I have to say that I totally appreciate your love and adoration of my heroins. You gentlemen really do make their lives easier, even though sometimes it is harder to love you than not. Thank you for possessing chivalry, being passionate about your feelings for my ladies, striving to work hard and be the kind of providers and protectors that they can always love, and yet still being real. You are all truly men!

Romantically Yours,
Lady in Waiting

Dear Editor

Dear Editor,

It took me a while to not be upset and frustrated. It's good that we made it all the way to chapter 12 before this happened and of course after some serious thought, contemplation, frustration, more contemplation, and a bunch of other emotions I have come to the conclusion that you are right, mostly. Hopefully we will be on the same page after you review what I rewrote and edited and rewrote again. 

Sigh,

Author

Dear Fire,

Okay, I know pushing you aside was the right thing to do while I tried to work on other things, but I have to admit that I am thoroughly enjoying working with you right now.

Cheers,

Writer

Dear Dryads,

I'm so sorry you have been shoved aside. I will return. I promise. Just as soon as I'm done burning.

Fiery Yours,

MMason

Dear Blog,

I know you've been neglected. Don't worry, so has everything else in my life.

Crazily busy,

Blogger

Dear Editor

Dear English Language,

I never really understood just how complicated and complex you were until I started writing novels. I am amazed at how many different versions or words and phrases there are and to make things even worse one word can have multiple meanings that will confuse and distort even more. 

Cheers to the millions of people in the world who have mastered you and cheers to all my English teachers throughout elementary, middle, high schools and college. Wow. Yep that's it, wow!

Sincerely,

Author

P.S. First off I have never done a ps and you should be honored. Second, I'm sorry but because of my imagination I'm afraid I have invented new words. :)

Dear Keyboard,

What is up with you. Are you getting hot or overworked or something? Seriously, I am waaaay too busy for you to be acting up and you are waaaay too new to be having issues. Snap to it now, let's get to work.

Tap, tap, tapping on the keys,

Typist

Dear Seranea,

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry you had to be poisoned, but I'm glad we have new dimensions to work with in the people you are now associating with. Who would have thought...elflins. Also you really don't have too much to complain about. Talk to Eridale and she'll tell you what pain really is.

Sorry again,

Imagination

Dear Storm,

Ha Ha! I have finally managed to subdue your evil counterpart, the prequel series, and have actually been able to focus on the dryads. Back back ye stormy fiend, I shall triumph yet!

Fighting Fingers,

Challenged

Dear Elvish,

I know there are so many writers out there who have invented their own elvish language and I am very excited to now add my scattering of words to that mess. Although I think I like my elvish best of all, but that is probably just a pride thing.

Theloil per-oithe (I enter in peace),

Dear Editor

Dear Apostrophe,

Do you understand just how obnoxious you are when I have to type you over and over again. Seriously. I know you have many uses, but I can only type Mother's Day so many times before I get tired of adding you in.

Seriously Annoyed,

Daughter

Dear Realize (as in the word realize)

So I just read through several books and I realized that I use the word realized way too many times. How much can one person actually realize in one book. Obviously a lot. So thank you realizations, but I have realized the mistake of using you too much and I am going to realize some other options.

Registering, perceived, discerned, noticed, understand, grasped, comprehended, see, recognized, worked out, fathomed, apprehended, savvy, figured out

Enlightened

Dear Storm,

So I just perceived (I can't use the word realize anymore, or at least for a month) that there is going to be a lot more of you in the future. I don't know if I will ever be able to finish with the dryads because you are so prevalent in my mind lately. Not even just as a prequel. I'm totally thinking full novels and series. It's crazy. You will seriously be keeping me busy for years to come. I'm almost exhausted thinking about it and yet I get very excited too. Crazy!

Intrigued and Inspired,

Dear Writing,

You are my passion, my love, my future. I just wish I had more time to give you you and better pay from stroking the keys of my laptop. (sigh)

Cheers,

Author

Dear Dryads,

I have left you out in the cold to fend for yourselves, but hopefully you will be anxious to continue when I am finally ready to return to your beautiful forests.

Soon to be yours,

Writer

Dear Editor

Dear Editor,

You think you're being mean or brutal or even harsh, but you're not. I love your comments and your common sense. You are making the Storm even better and I'm very grateful for your help.

Sincerely,

M M Mason

Dear S,

It's going to work out, I promise. And though there will probably be pain and suffering in the future it will be happy in the end.

Always Present,

Fate

Dear Prequel,

I know, I know, you're still waiting! Give me another month with the dryads and I promise I will return...well maybe two months, I'm changing domiciles AGAIN and things are a little crazy right now. Ok, let's be safe. Give me three months and then I promise we'll talk.

Stormily Waiting,

Author

Dear ^,

I don't even know how to use you or why you are even on my keyboard except to make interesting smiley characters, and even then I don't know how you would work.

Sorry,

:)

Dear Frog,

You're not a prince. Get over it.

Lips Sealed,

Princess

Dear Publishers,

I'm still waiting...patiently...ok, not so patiently. Please, someone give me something, anything...

Writer in Waiting

Dear Editor

Dear Storm,

I know I shouldn't have read all four of your books, but I was editing the latest chapter from my faithful (and totally amazing) editor and decided I wanted to just keep reading. After I finished the first book of course I had to read the second and well it just snowballed from there. Needless to say it's been a week (and four of those days were spent moving) and I just finished reading the last book. I have to admit that I am feeling very humble right now. I know for certain that there is no possible way I could have written you without some sort of divine inspiration. Now I just need some divine help in getting a publisher to show interest in you. Thank you for the wonderful journey. We shall meet again at the beginning...really beginning...as in prequel.

Amazed and Humbled,

Author

Dear Heroins,

I just want to apologize right now for all the horrible things I have put you all through during the last ten years. I have pushed you all to your limits and beyond and yet you've all come out beautifully and more heroic than before. Thank you for being the best part of my imagination!

Sincerely,

Writer

Dear Knight in White,

I haven't written to you before because you seem so distant in my future, but I'm feeling very close to you today, so you get your own letter. Hopefully I will get published soon and you can read all the characteristics I am certain you will possess in the valiant leading men of my books. I will do my best to develop all of the amazing characteristics of my heroins in myself so we will be a match made in heaven. But I will give you a fair warning, I tend to have lots of Eridale's impatience and a little...well more than a little of her temper. Even so I promise to love you deeply and fight just as dramatically for our future as my heroins have done for theirs.

Faithfully,

Princess M 
(Hey I can be a princess in my own mind.)

Dear Auto Edit,

Yes I know most of the names in my stories don't exist and you think there are many other ways I should be spelling those words. Just trust me, I know what I'm doing...most of the time.

Cinseerly,

Novelist

Dear Jason,

She's coming back and boy does she have a surprise for you!

Incredulously Yours,

M

Dear Editor

Dear Author,

     AAHHHH!!! Okay, just focus on one project at a time. Stop thinking about prequels and publishing, sad stories and adventures. Right now you are working with dryads and evil creatures. That is what you need to finish, so finish already. Sheesh. How hard can it be to focus. I mean really. There isn't that much on your plate. You're only moving to AZ from CA and changing domiciles, packing, trying to get your dogs from chewing up every blanket in the house, plus working. It's not much. You should easily be able to focus on one story.  So there's my rant.

  Sincerely,

     Focused Writer

Dear Book World,

     I want so much to be a part of you and let millions of readers be touched, changed and entertained by my imaginations. Please let me in!

  Hopefully,

     MM Mason

Dear Punctuation,

     I think I've actually used all of you and surprisingly enough I've used you correctly, until my editor says otherwise. Thank you all for your hard work and proper usage. 

  Gratefully Yours,

     Keyboard

Dear Dryads,

     I just have to say that I'm really glad I live in a world where boys aren't the minority...oh wait, they are. Never mind.

  Wishing there were more men,  

    Overwhelmed by women

 

Dear Editor

Dear Publishing Company,

     I'm anxiously awaiting your reply. To publish or not to publish, that is the question.

  Sincerely,
  
   Writer, Hopeful Author

Dear Literary Agent,

     Again, I am anxiously awaiting your reply. Will you take a chance with me or not? Pretty, pretty please!

  Faithfully Yours

    Begging Writer

Dear Period,

     I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I might be using you a little too much. I want to introduce you to some new folks. Meet and, but, and ;. Let's add some length to our sentences for a bit and then we can go from there.

  Happy Endings,
  
     Keyboard

Dear S,

     He's bad, don't trust him! 
     Wait, maybe he's good. Okay you can trust him. 
     Oh no! He's bad, don't trust him. 
     Nah, it's all right, you can trust him now...

  To be continued...

     Uncertainty

Dear Jason,

     I know it seems like she has already forgotten you, but stay strong, she hasn't. She's just busy dealing with a bunch of lying, conniving evil creatures. Don't worry she'll come back and you can blissfully torture her and yourself with your unrequited and impossible love.

  Love,

     Romance

Dear Editor

Dear Sequel,

     I've been thinking a lot about you lately. I want to continue you, finish you, and present you to my readers, but you have been strangely illusive. What's up with that?

  Yours Truly,

     Writer

Dear Shadow,

    Yeah! I'm so glad we got past that rough spot. I don't know why it was to difficult to move on, it's not like you had anything horribly awful to present. Now we can get you finished...soon.

  Luvs,

    Endings

Dear Prequel,

     Yes, I know you're still there and anxiously waiting, but I have things to finish, a lot of things, so back off!

  Busy and Distracted,

    MMM

Dear Dash -,

    I don't even know where to begin with you...

  Sincerely,

     Confused

Dear Jorealen,

     I have to admit, no one had come close to you in your absolute perfection, but I think it might be time for someone to challenge you. Hmmm maybe Jason...we'll see.

   All My Adoration,

     Hopeful Romantic