What I’m Giving Up for Lent: Editing

Wait a minute … a writer giving up editing for Lent? Isn’t that like a fish giving up swimming? Well, yes and … no.

A friend asked me today what I was giving up for Lent. I hadn’t really thought about it until she asked, and I like the few vices I have too much to part with them for 40 days. I could give up meat, or sugar, or processed foods, but I know that’s a failure waiting to happen. Then it hit me.

I can give up editing for Lent. Don’t worry dear critique group, I will still lend my helpful red pen to you guys, but I refuse to edit my WIP until Easter.

The Muse and the Editor can’t occupy the same space. At least not in my brain. The Editor’s job is to question every word, every comma, every plot thread. The Muse is the fun, wild aunt with crazy hair and a mischievous gleam in her eye. But if the Editor is in the room, the Muse becomes timid, shy, unsure. She becomes afraid that the Editor will judge her (which the Editor will, long after the Muse has run off with some guy on the back of a Harley).

So for Lent, I’m giving up the Editor. She can stay far, far away while I work to make progress on the re-write of Pardon Falls. Once the Muse is off in search of her next adventure, I will welcome the Editor with open arms – and a red pen.