In Writing and In Life, Editing Can Be a Good Thing

There was a time when I was just beginning to be a writer, that the importance of my life and how I was living it, propelled me. Why? I was young. I saw that my experience though somewhat limited, was of great importance, at least to me. Major changes in my life had already happened (the loss of a parent; early responsibilities as a result). And I realized that though I didn’t want to relive my childhood, I didn’t want to forget it. So much of that time dwelled in me, making my losses and gains part of me, the engine of creativity.

Because when you write, you are either pulling things out of your own experience or making shit up. Both land on the page, and wow, you’re a writer. (Though not necessarily a good one. It takes time, lots of time. Maybe forever.)

WRITE IT DOWN 

Many of us kept or still keep a diary. It’s our lives on paper, our deepest thoughts and even our angers, our hurts. It’s not fiction, but it can fuel fiction—and it always comes from the power of memory.

But when moving from Chicago to Des Moines, then to California and now back to Chicago—I gradually had to force myself to GET RID OF STUFF: the diaries I wrote in high school; the dance favors that contained poems I had written for the event; photographs, papers I wrote in college—because Beth, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU.

THE EDITING FACTOR

But it’s not just the editing of possessions that we are faced with. Sometimes it is people, it is acquaintances, and even friends. Because in life, we gain and we lose. The hurts experienced in our teens prepare us for the bigger ones that are sure to come, every person’s life being a mixture of joy and sorrow. Even in adulthood, we might struggle with revealing to a friend something that we know, something that might deeply hurt that person. It’s a burden now falling on us…do we provide the information before the hurt gets deeper, or do we stay silent. Editing helps. Providing a clue, an opening might ease the conversation. Do we call this tough love? For sure we can call it love.

 A VERY PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

My family is wonderful, supporting and loving me with all my ups and downs. I see more and more that being a writer has helped prepare me for being a good parent, a listening and loving family member. When I share a post each week, my readers respond. They are open about my opinions, they share how they feel. They sometime argue. That’s great! That is also part of life and editing. None of us has all the answers. None of us writes a perfect sentence every time. Well—maybe now and again.

So to end this shorter post today, I’ve provided the quiz below. I am also wishing you a peaceful and productive week ahead. Maybe you will be doing some editing   as you prepare to finish a discussion with a friend; or let your neighbor know you are not enjoying her son’s loud music, or would love it if the family flew to you this Thanksgiving. Whatever it is, I’m wishing you a golden tongue. I’m working on mine.  

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING AUTHORS, who have editing chops?

Monsters are real, ghosts are real too. They live inside us & sometimes they win.

There are years that ask questions and years that answer. 

I hope she’ll be a fool — that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.

Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.

A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.

(Answers: Stephen King, Zora Neal Hurston, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, AA Milne)

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