No Pain, No Gain

Jodi had her 2-month shots yesterday--the first ones that I have witnessed. (She had one in the hospital the day after she was born that I did not "participate" in.) Wow, was that rough. Her daddy met us at the doctor's office for moral support and to hold on to Jodi during the sticks. I couldn't stand to watch the needles go in her. Instead I focused on her adorable little face, which was bright red and wailing, offering words of comfort while trying not to cry too hard myself.

Thankfully the nurse did her job quickly, and it didn't take too awfully long for Jodi's screams to subside to pitiful sobs against my shoulder. I told Jodi I wished I could have taken the shots for her and could give her some ice cream. But what I really wished was that I could reason with her and make her understand why we let her go through such an experience. That while the shots were painful, they would prevent something far worse in the future, and really, they were good for her, no matter how much they hurt.

Still, it was hard to put my baby through pain, even if it was good for her.

Sometimes I hear authors talk about their stories as their "babies" and how painful edits can be as editors hack and twist and manipulate their "children." But remember, your editors are just trying to do what's best for you story. Just like the doctors who recommend the vaccines to keep Jodi as healthy as possible, editors recommend changes, cuts, etc. to make your writing the best it can be.

Whether you're enduring frustrating edits or some other type of pain, don’t forget to reward yourself after you’ve survived. Until Jodi gets a little older, I guess I’ll just have to eat her ice cream for her. :)

Here's Jodi today!