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Tuesday, 11 May 2010

Separation Anxiety

One of the things I struggle with when I write is separating writing from editing. I tend to correct as I go. I think it's something that was just planted in me, like a seed, and then grew and grew until it took over my thinking completely.

On the one hand, I like that I scrutinize every word I write, every sentence and every paragraph, wondering if there is a better way to convey to the reader what I'm trying to say. But on the other hand, it's TOO MUCH PRESSURE. Words will not flow like they should if I'm constantly changing a sentence around before I get to the next one, right? Not to mention how long it takes to get that story out of my wee brain.

I'm working on it though.

I've recently started a new WIP, and I will try to remind myself to just write, write, keep on writing, and go back through it later for editing and revisions. You realize I used the word "try," right? ;p

You tell me. Do you find it easy to separate writing and editing, or is it easier for you to correct as you go?
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7 comments:

  1. Karen Jones Gowen11 May 2010 at 16:43

    I have to kill the editor within and just get the words out there. Second draft is a little bitty editor. Third draft editor is now allowed to join the club.

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  2. Shelli11 May 2010 at 18:56

    I think my natural editing instincts kill my creativity. As a story progresses, it evolves, which makes me itch to go back and fix the earlier writing. It makes sense to me to just forge through and get to the end, because I know it will change more as I go ... which will lead to more editing ... which can be an endless circle with no finished project in sight.

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  3. Giles Hash11 May 2010 at 20:12

    It took me five years to learn how to draft a novel without constantly re-editing as I went. AS a matter of fact, on the first book I tried to write, I spent a year trying to write, edit, revise, and re-edit, the first chapter before I even THOUGHT about writing the second chapter. I was only 12, so it wasn't too big-a-deal, but if I tried to write that way now, I'd go insane and NEVER get anything done :)

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  4. Dawn Embers11 May 2010 at 22:03

    I will, sometimes, edit as I write if I see glaring mistakes. Like if I write really late when I'm tired and go back after getting some sleep and discover I spelled "some" as "spome"...lol. However, for the most part I have heard enough advice about writing first drafts and then editing that I try to get one draft done first. Then I'll go back and fix thihngs, and rewrite.

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  5. Melissa12 May 2010 at 02:53

    I always edit while I write. I never thought to do it differently. So if it works for you, then go with it. In my own experience, the constant editing means I might write slower, but I have fewer, more polished drafts.

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  6. Unknown12 May 2010 at 04:36

    I definitely have to separate the two or I'll never stop trying to correct and improve. I have to spit out the rough draft as fast as possible. In fact, I even separate my chapters, so I can't scroll back. I only go forward until I'm finished. Walk away for a day or so and then go back and start at the beginning.

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  7. Dorothy Dreyer12 May 2010 at 07:26

    I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who struggles with it. Thanks for the comments, everyone! :)

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