Many writers tell me that they hate to edit. They love the feeling of getting the words down, but hate having to go through and either take those hard earned words away, or to add more words. I used to feel sort of like this. But once I was hired as an editor, those feelings quickly disappeared. Maybe it was because I was getting rid of other people's words. More likely, it was because I truly saw how the right words make the story flow better.
Here's how I view writing and editing:
The writing is the foundation of the story. Visually, I think of it as a sculpture that's created the more words I use. It's not like I think of the sculpture as a bust or any certain shape other than maybe a large piece of rock. There's dimension to it, but no specific features.
Because each word is so important in a story - even more so in poetry - I have no problem slashing and burning words that I've written. I don't feel like I have to keep them just because they appear on the paper. Editing is carving out the story, just like carving out a shape in the rock.
What's your viewpoint on editing? Do you love it, or hate it?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
In addition to writing, I also work as an editor. I love editing - both other people's work and my own, unfortunately, because I can sit and tweak a scene for hours. Which slows the writing considerably. I need to let go and WRITE first.
ReplyDeleteLove your E word ;-)
Editing I like...proof-reading, not so much. But I do agree that there is an art to knowing when to stop and move on as scenes could be reworked forever.
ReplyDeleteKatieO ~ I totally get the editing and editing and editing! I have to pull my authors in because, truly, we could edit and edit and edit!
ReplyDeleteP.A. ~ I am not a good proofer. When I first started at as an editor, the press wanted me to proof. I told them I was better at content editing than proofing. They quickly agreed and I've been doing that ever since. My brain just doesn't work as a proofer!
ReplyDeleteI actually love editing, especially my own stuff. It's my opportunity to visit my MC's and hang out for a few days. Can you tell I love my characters?
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, by the way.
One of my best writing friends and I always talk about editing like carving marble! It is in itself an art, because editing can also snap off an elegant feature, so the writer/editor needs to distinguish what's essential to the piece and what's just an extra hunk of marble.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! Great E in a blogosphere full of writers. ;)
I L-O-V-E it. Although, I call it revising. I'm brutal when I get to that stage. Everything that doesn't belong or sound right goes. . .either to be replaced or um, yeah, put in my dumpster file. I have a file like that for every story because, who knows? Maybe, I can tweek that idea or scene for another story.
ReplyDeleteI like it, but this is my first novel and I'm not far into the editing process.
ReplyDeleteHi Kris - thanks for stopping by my blog. It's a lovely way to find each other, isn't it? I don't mind editing at all because it means I've already written the bare bones of the novel and that's the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteGreat post
Hey Kris! So glad the A-Z challenge introduced us. I actually love editing -- first drafts can be such slogs, but buffing things up afterwards feels pretty good. Great E post!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the editing so much - but the second guessing, and "what I should have written's" drive me crazy. Great E post! :)
ReplyDeleteI love editing. For me, the first draft can feel a little disheartening because it's never as good or flows as well as I'd hoped. But when editing I love watching the story get better and better. It feels more productive.
ReplyDeleteEditing is a necessary evil. I actually like it when it makes the story better and find the, "what the hell was I thinking?" moments. I'm still struggling with choosing the time to edit: during or after?
ReplyDeleteC.K. ~ I love editing as well. I hate to leave those main characters for too long!
ReplyDeleteNicki ~ Great minds think alike!
E.C. ~ I used to have a dumpster file, but I haven't used it lately. I tend to edit while I'm writing, and then have two big paper edits once the text is complete.
Madison ~ Glad you like it, because editing is essential.
Lauracea ~ I agree; getting that first copy down can be hard. Editing makes it pretty!
Cricket ~ We think alike about editing!
Jamie ~ I think if you just stay true to your voice, you'll know what should go and what should stay.
Kendal ~ I like that-> editing feels more productive.
Kris ~ I think it's funny when I find the wth moments! Because I tend not to write every day, I end up editing while I'm writing. I sort of feel like the end product is better than if I had just written it full on.
Thank you everyone for stopping by!
I wrote about editing as well. I prefer drafting, in part because I write with such awesome NaNoers. Editing is long, lonely work that can seldom be checked off a list. Great post!
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm having both up and down moments with my editing. Mostly I love it though, and love seeing how my novel progresses.
ReplyDeleteReally like the way you've related editing to carving a sculpture. I like editing more than the writing process.
ReplyDeleteteakettle58@yahoo.com
Trisha ~ I can totally understand that. Editing helps bring out that diamond that was created in the first drafts.
ReplyDeleteTea~ I have learned to enjoy both. Writing used to be my top favorite, but I don't mind editing.
Nicole ~ Editing can be lonely, that's for sure. With a great critique partner, for me, it doesn't seem so daunting.
ReplyDeleteEditing ... I'm good at it for others, but for myself, I tend to edit away things until there is nothing left *sigh*
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason I'm not a writer...
I love reading though!
Love your E post! Proofing is not my thing either. I am much better at content editing. Well, at least I think I am! lol. I am sinking my teeth into the industry with an internship at a literary agency. Trying to work my way up into an actual editor job. I have really enjoyed being able to offer the authors a fresh perspective on their work. We're working together to make their manuscript a better work. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI eat editing up. My brain does it without thinking. I always have to be careful to pull back and appreciate content.
ReplyDeleteLucy
Cindy~ I actually think there's an art to editing. I continue to hone this craft during my day job. I think it helps my personal writing.
ReplyDeleteRebecca~ Starting at a literary agency is awesome. I wish I'd had that opportunity. I think I would've started writing sooner. Good luck!
Lucy~ I think a text can be over-edited, so I try to limit myself to two full edits once I'm done - since I edit as I write.