Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[frank]

I know this is a common saying, but I'm just now experiencing this for the first time; in all the many hours of self-editing.  They say to edit yourself as though you were editing the work of someone, anyone, else.

You don't want to know what the words are supposed to say, or the impact they are supposed to have.

I'm working through another draft of something I began writing more than twenty years ago.  And I'm like:  That's not the right word.  And that's not where you use a semicolon.  And WTF's with all these commas?

I'd be more than a little embarrassed, if I weren't having so much fun fixing things up.  Self-editing isn't easy, but it should be satisfying.

[frank]

I just had another revelation:  Perhaps I'm finally able to edit myself as though I were someone else because I've been active in the Pit and the Pendulum for about two years.  Maybe it's really hard to edit yourself objectively until you've done a bunch of editing for other writers.

Think about it.  Reading is essential for inspiration, but with editing you're limited to what you really understand about the writing process.

[Rakie]

i'd definitely agree with that.  The Pit and Pen have helped me immeasurably as well - when i'm writing now, i find myself thinking, "nope, can't leave that rubbish bit of description in, those guys will never let me get away with it..."