Grab the Shears and Get to Pruning

The knock-out roses that border my front walk are gorgeous.  As an amateur gardener, I got really care-free pruning those bushes early this spring. It is a wonder I didn't kill them.

Just as I need God to prune my life occasionally to keep me in shape (John 15:1-6), most all plants need some pruning early.There are many reasons to prune:

* pruning creates a more attractive, well formed plant.
*it increases plant growth by stimulating new growth.
*actually, it increases the quality of the flower.
*it allows rejuvenation to revive their vigor.

No wonder I pause each time I walk by those roses.  They remind me of times when I have had some writing disappointments and cut-backs when I get a rejection letter.

I can't see what's ahead, but maybe when I rewrite that same manuscript, it appears like a new bloom, full and vibrant.I keep a file marked "re-write,"too good to discard, but just needs pruned.

If I prune wrong, I may lose the plant.  Knowing the specific plant and how to prune it gives me direction. Knowing the right markets to sell a manuscript is important, so I need to study them to know where to sell.

Knowing when to prune is important. I may kill some plants if I prune at the wrong time, but I may get some wonderful results if I prune at the right time.When holidays come, capture the spirit and write the manuscript while you have the inspiration. Write it down and polish it later. Send holiday material at least a year ahead if you want to see it published.

So grab the shears and get to pruning. There may be something beautiful  that you haven't yet discovered.