Revise Until Your Eyeballs Melt Out
Every writer has to find their own way in creating their particular product: in my case, novels. The most laborious step in the the process is revising the work-in-progress (WIP), no question.
I've read or heard of those writers who get it right the first time they keystroke in the words. That must count as a huge blessing, and I can only watch in awe of those authors.
But my drummer goes by a different beat. I'm forced to march to it. So, I do extensive rounds of edits. Over and over. Later in the going, I'll print out the WIP. It always looks different on the paper page. Why I don't know. It just does.
Lots of verbiage ends up on the cutting room floor. But then a lot also gets added. I don't use any special technique when revising. No scented candles are lit or soothing jazz plays there in the background.
It's just straight ahead grunt work. Hours and hours of it. The best thing I can take away from doing it at all is a sense of accomplishment. And I do.
I've read or heard of those writers who get it right the first time they keystroke in the words. That must count as a huge blessing, and I can only watch in awe of those authors.
But my drummer goes by a different beat. I'm forced to march to it. So, I do extensive rounds of edits. Over and over. Later in the going, I'll print out the WIP. It always looks different on the paper page. Why I don't know. It just does.
Lots of verbiage ends up on the cutting room floor. But then a lot also gets added. I don't use any special technique when revising. No scented candles are lit or soothing jazz plays there in the background.
It's just straight ahead grunt work. Hours and hours of it. The best thing I can take away from doing it at all is a sense of accomplishment. And I do.
date
newest »
newest »
I often think of blind Milton, whom I envison as lying in bed dictating his epic poetry to a scribe. How on earth could someone create any kind of literature that way? Presumably it was read back to him and he made revisions, but still...Not meaning to compare myself with Milton, but I do strive very hard to get it as close to right as possible the first time. Not that I do, of course. The main effect on me of always being in Edit mode has been that I've produced very little.
On the other hand, I feel impatient when somebody sends me a draft for comments and it's full of dumb mistakes.
Cracked Rearview Mirror
Enjoy reading my fiction? Subscribe to Ed Lynskey's Books Newsletter by notifying me of your interest at: e_lynskey@yahoo.com and I will add you to my newsletter list. Thank you.
...more
- Ed Lynskey's profile
- 2714 followers
If I was a Monkey, I would throw myself Peanuts as Positive Reinforcement; alas it is not as Motivating when used as Monetary Currency.