There are all sorts of E writing words. Ego, Edge-of-your-seat (okay technically that's four words...work with me here). But I went with EDITING because it's a pretty big part of writing.
And also, it's my arch-nemisis. That and spelling.
Editing is HARD for me. There's no creativity involved. I'm not creating anything, I'm torturing something (not just myself). But no one, at least no one that I know, can write a perfect first draft, which is why editing is nearly as important as writing.
And a story should go through many different edits before it's considered done. Grammar and spelling (particularly if I wrote it), content, story arch, pacing...I honestly believe you can never get your story completely flawless, no matter how many times you go over it. Eventually you'll start doing damage, in my honest opinion, and it's time to let that baby fly!
I spend long enough editing my blog posts so I can't even begin to imagine how arduous the task must be with a whole book! I think I'd have trouble knowing when to stop.
ReplyDeleteWait, we're supposed to edit our blog posts? Oh crap ;)
DeleteEditing is one sure tedious task!! And yes it's a torture :)
ReplyDeleteRegards
~Kriti~
It is! I get lots of chocolate rewards when I'm editing so I don't die :) Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI'm getting ready to start ruthlessly editing myself... and I have already put it off because I feel tortured- and I haven't even begun!
ReplyDelete<> You'll do great! Good luck :)
DeleteHello, Wendy! First draft revisions are the worst! I'm so happy I finished, yet there's still so much work yet to be done. It can be overwhelming!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Thank you! They ARE the worst. Like soul-sucking worst! Good luck with all your editing!
DeleteI totally agree, Wendy, that editing is absolutely essential but that there does also come a time when you (and others) have done as much as they can to your book and it's time to let it go.
ReplyDeleteYes! And you, especially, would understand, being an editor and all :)
DeleteYou mention that at some point, repeat editing may start to do damage. But some editing must be done to create a proper manuscript. I know it's not clear-cut, but what would you say is the point to let go and move on?
ReplyDeleteThat's a hard question. I think I jump the gun a lot and send it to early, because I hate editing so much. Maybe when you're past the point of actually correcting anything and just being nitpicky?
DeleteI used to abhor editing. Then I began writing novels and thinking about having other people read them. Suddenly, the necessity of editing became so much clearer (and that much more terrifying). In fact, I now call myself a "compulsive editor."
ReplyDeleteI think my "disease" stems from a fear of failure. I don't want to send my novel out into the world until it's "perfect"--even though "perfection" in the creative world doesn't really exist. At some point, I do have to cut myself off from editing and let it go. But it's so much easier said than done!
Ingrid
Visiting from A-to-Z.
tantusamorscribendi.blogspot.com
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