Going to Great Lengths
My ingenuity never ceases to amaze me.
I’ve heard of writers who procrastinate during the writing phase. They have the cleanest houses or best kept yards in their counties. They have beat every video game in their possession.
I don’t procrastinate during the writing phase. I love that phase. I can work tirelessly during the creative process.
Editing is another matter. I think I’ve lost about 120 hours to old seasons of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I spent quite a few hours just hanging out in my husband’s hospital room watching the tube instead of using my pen or in my office after work. I’ve volunteered to go shopping, something I normally avoid with creative genius.
Procrastination: 11 Editing Work: 2
This has got to change. When I finish a piece I’m always convinced it is crap, but I refuse to be one of those writers who requires hand-holding or cheerleading (though I admit having someone like the piece really helps).
Any tips or advice? Any discipline strategies for getting what seems an overwhelming project done? Trust me, I’m all ears, or eyes as the case may be.
Give the work an innocent read-through. if it’s somewhat broken into chapters, take notes; things you like, things that need work.
if long and loose, then perhaps notate pages. either decide to not touch a thing, or to allow small alterations (substituting a word, fixing punctuation, etc) but DON’T do any heavy handed editing until you’ve read it through.
then look at your notes, see where you are. then give it a go.
thinking edit-addict thoughts your way!