Editing Kinda Sucks
GAH! For the readers that hate writers who can whip out the rough draft quickly, there is The Great Equalizer…the edits. I admit I’m jealous of the steady personalities who edit at the same pace they write and do equally well with each of them.
That’s so not me.
Rough draft? Easy peasy. Edits? Um. I have to clean the kitchen. And the car. And the den. After that, I have errands, and a great new book to read and…
I need to team up with a writing partner maybe, or pledge to do something disgusting if I don’t meet my deadlines. I know, I know, some writers really struggle on the front end, while I blow past. But there they go now, running at a nice, ground-eating jog while I limp along.
However, I do have some progress to report. I’m on the third round of edits, and I think chapters one and two are done. All the names and small details are fixed, one big plot issue resolved, and the first cliche/adjective check is done. The story isn’t as loose as I feared it was, and I still like Lillian a lot. I wrote the rough draft in August. It’s only taken me five months to get this far…ahem.
I am glad I left it to sit for a while, though. The work is easier for it and I’m less emotionally attached. I even wrote another rough draft in November. I know I sound pathetic, but this is my one area of procrastination that is not under firm control.
Do you know of any encouraging posts/articles on edits for writers like me?
Editing can kinda suck, and I don’t have any really good advice other than to say that we have to find the way that works for us, and unfortunately, that comes only through practice! At least, as you say, you are making progress, which is wonderful!
I totally agree about finding all kinds of other things to do when what you really need to do is editing. I’ve had a baby in the past year and, although it is an absolutely valid excuse, I haven’t gotten much done. My only consolation — the first chapter is really on track to be where I want it to be and it wasn’t a year ago at this time. Now I just need to make it through the rest of the book.
I find that the first draft or the start of the writing is the most exciting and going back to finish something or to edit and redraft is the most difficult and terrifying.
In between it feels as if I lose something, the idea, the belief, the enthusiasm.
Consequently, I have much much more experience in starting than finishing and lots of part finished stories.
I’ve decided that there’s no magic cure (sadly) and have to just face up to the terror that sometimes come as I approach the edting zone and just keep gong.
Any magic cures that people are aware of, please share.
Just one thing, thinking about it. The reason I decided to start a writing blog, which I’ve only just started, is to get some feedback on those first drafts. Without feedback it can feel as if no is or will be, interested. I’m hoping it will inspire me to keep on to the (hopefully not too bitter) end.