Editing, hate it or love it?
Both and neither. I much prefer the madcap creative rush of the outlining and first draft stages. That’s why I write. Editing is sort of like cleaning up the kitchen after the whirlwind of whipping up some delicious and daring new dessert. But I don’t dread it. I enjoy straightening things up, pulling plot snarls straight, making every element of the story work together in unison. Writing is more exciting, but, in some respects, editing is more satisfying.
Story by K.M. Weiland
Tags: Conquering Writer's Block and Summoning Inspiration , Creativity , Inspiration
Even though I've never gotten to editing yet, I get what you mean.
30k words in and I'm dying to go fix stuff...
Excellent interview, KM. I can definitely relate to the analogy of editing being like post-concoction kitchen cleanup. I've taken my first book through a couple of cursory edits (had friends read for plot holes, confusing things, grammar and spelling, etc.), but now I'm getting ready to start a more in-depth edit/rewrite (after NaNo, of course), and I can't say that I'm looking forward to it that much. Who knows, though - maybe the creative rush of NaNo will inspire my editing.
Good interview! Why doesn't it surprise me that you are such a planner when it comes to writing? :)
Funny, editing is a mixed beast for me. I love fixing my stuff, but don't like reading through to find the areas that need editing. But I love editing other people's stuff. Maybe because it's new to me? Either way, editing my own work or someone else's is really satisfying.
It’s funny, I love and hate both. I think I love fresh/new writing the most but when I get stuck, it’s not so fun. On the other hand, I always think I’m going to dread editing but once I get into it, it’s fun to read what I’ve written and the process of fixing it to be the best it can be.
I definately love editing and making it better.
@Misha: I actually find I work best if I allow myself to go back and edit periodically. I print my manuscript off every 50 pages and go over it with a red pen.
@Traci: I did one of those knock-down, drag-out edits on my fantasy Dreamers earlier this year. I tried to approach it as systematically as possible, and it actually ended up being pretty easy. You might find this old blog post helpful: "Rewriting Made Easy."
@Kat: Got to have my plans and schedules and routines! They make life so much easier.
@Kym: Every part of writing has its good points and its bad points. But I find it all seems to even out in the end.
@Galadriel: Nothing like emerging form the dusty battle of a hard edit with a sparkling manuscript!
oh I hate editing. (I am actually working on editing a draft of my novel synopsis today. Yuck.)
Obviously, it is a crucial part of the writing process but it is just so TEDIOUS! It doesn't give me the same joy that the actual writing does. I like the finished result of HAVING edited, I just cannot stand the process of it.
The saving grace of editing, for me, is the fact that I get to read my own story. Particularly if I've let the manuscript sit for a few months, I always enjoy going back and revisiting the characters.
This is exactly how I feel about editing. My favorite part, of course, is writing the first draft - but it feels good editing because I know that I'm almost at the finish line.
I love the analogy you used comparing editing to cleaning up mess after making a dessert. That's so true! Editing is annoying, but satisfying.
Tessa
And it's always good to heave a sigh of relief and put your feet up when you're finished!
Hate and dread are too strong, but I definitely don't enjoy editing. I don't feel the same sense of creativity when I'm editing. :)
I agree. I may *love* writing, and editing may not measure up to that love, but I rarely, if ever, hate it.
i feel absolutely the same way. i'm passionate about writing in the sense that i lose myself in it, but without editing, i'd never feel my work "complete". i've never regarded it as a chore. in fact, connecting up ends and ironing out the creases is almost a joyride.
I'm an editor-as-I-go, so I'm able to get a lot of the major creases ironed out before the first draft is ever finished. In situations like that, it does make that first edit a fun ride.