Writing a first draft makes my heart soar.
Editing makes my brain sore. Writing muscles are stretched
taut and leave me with more pain than an hour at the local gym.
I have a confession. Exercising at the gym ranks just
below a doctor visit, but the benefits keep me plugging away 2-3 times per week.
The same holds true for editing. Yes, I like the end results, but not the
process.
How do I get an attitude adjustment, especially when I
should be editing my latest manuscript right now? Let's think about all the
positive aspects of polishing that book or article:
1. It will give me a
better shot at another book contract.
2. The possibility of
rave reviews and sales grows with each re-written phrase or grammar correction.
3. Knowing I've done
my best gives me a sense of accomplishment.
4. Giving readers a
great story and a beautifully written book shows respect for their
intelligence.
5. Excellence honors
God.
Okay, that last one got me. As a believer, I'm His
representative to the world. If I put out a shoddy product, what does that say
about the One I serve. My most important goal is to honor Him in all I say and
do.
For readers, who are also believers, our love for them
shines through when we give them a professional story.
We're not merely entertaining them, we're ministering via our words.
As I'm writing and editing, I'll be praying for all those
who will read my books. Perhaps my efforts will then be a labor of love rather
than a dreaded task.
Writers: Do you prefer editing to writing or vice versa?
Please share.
Readers: When you read a well-written book, how does it make
you feel?
Photo Credit: Andrew Beirle
6 comments:
Hi Susan - a good book, well written, is such a pleasure ... I get so irritated by poor grammar from professionals ... just shouldn't happen - but people don't edit carefully enough - I can imagine the brain gets tired. Good luck .. cheers Hilary
I like the writing process best. Although the editing stage isn't my favorite, I don't hate it, and I know that I am closer to submitting! :)
When I am in a flow with writing I love it :) Editing... hmm, not so much fun. But you are right, it gives a feeling of accomplishment. I have gone through my latest manuscript so many times, and I am really wondering how people do it, who write books that are 300 pages or so...
Hi Hilary - As a reader, I share your enjoyment of a well-written book. It's difficult to edit your own work. I'm thankful for critique partners and the editor I just used recently.
Hi Karen - I don't know about close to submitting. I'm not quite half way through the edits for my latest manuscript. It feels like it's taking forever.
Hi Marja - Me too! By the time I finish editing, I don't want to look at my manuscript. My brain is saturated.
Susan: I love the writing phase of the craft. I consider editing a necessary evil--it has to be done.
I love the process of writing the story and I used to enjoy editing--until I took a nasty turn with my first novel and can't seem to find a way out. Now I don't like editing my own work, just other people's. :P
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