Editing Sucks

[TxRad]

I edit some as I go and then edit again on rereading as I stop and resume a story. When I finish, I let it sit for a week or so and then change the font and edit again. If it is for here at Lit. that's about all i do unless its for a contest and then I ask a friend or two to have a look.

When i get ready to sell it, I have an editor that goes over it with a big red pen and chews my ass for not learning from the last time she edited for me. In any case, what is for sale is well edited and what is free is what you get.

 

[49greg]

I self edit. I go over completed parts every time I go to work on a story, and again when I'm done, and again, and again. Then I read it over and make corrections after I copy and paste into the lit submission page.

I've yet to post a story without a typo getting through. If I ever get back to writing I may start correcting the ones I've already posting and re-post.

 

[PayDay]

I think those reading this thread who have half a brain can work this out for themselves.

Then what's your fucking problem?

 

[bbtp41]

Editing is writing.

Most writers with any ability at all self edit as they go. After all, we should at least be able to read our own words when we're done.

As a reader I am more than willing to disregard typos, spelling errors and flawed punctuation in a 300+ page book when it only happens twice or less. When it occurs more than once in each sentence in a <2000 word flash fiction the whole thing becomes unreadable.

As a writer of either free or sold publications I am obliged to consider the reader/audience's needs when I am creating otherwise my purpose becomes void. Writing is meant to be read.

Editing is essential if I want any chance at effectively communicating my actual ideas through words to the reader.

 

[sr71plt]

Then what's your fucking problem?

Apparently it's that you're not one of the ones with more than half a brain (duh).

 

[PayDay]

Apparently it's that you're not one of the ones with more than half a brain (duh).

Saying you are the pope does not make you the pope.

The smartest person in the room is obviously an idiot.

If I only have half a brain, what are you working with?

 

[wws_wws]

Try editing on a smartphone

I do most of my writing via my handheld when I have a moment here and there. Just when I think something is perfect, what do you know: Autocorrect and the tech demons has other ideas. One day I'll print all this out double-spaced and really give it a good read.

 

[Over_Red]

Interesting. Editing is my favorite part of writing. Maybe I'm weird.

I love editing too. It's not the most fun part of writing, but it's the most consistently fun.

My favorite part of writing is when that big scene that I've been building up to finally arrives, and I don't even have to think. The words just flow from my brain and onto the page. Five hours later, I sit back, returned to my chair in front of the computer.

Not all writing is like that. Some parts of a story can be very necessary but rather boring to write, especially if it's all but set in stone in your head and you just have to pound out the words.

Editing is always entertaining in the same way. The draft is like a roughly-shaped sculpture. Editing is taking up the small chisel and the fine-toothed rasp and really getting the thing to look like what you're trying to sculpt. It is the act of moving closer to perfection! Sweet release for my OCD!

There's the slight bitter tang of it never quite being perfect, but that's just life.

 

[Hypoxia]

Editing is fun. Good thing, because it's mandatory. I'll draw a parallel with photography, which involves pre- and post-processing as well as shooting. A shoot is not complete until the post aka PP is complete -- and, as with some stories, I may generate a number of 'final' versions.

In this metaphor, the plot bunny is the pre, the writing is the shoot, and the editing is the post. The first PP sweep is like noise control: look for glitches in the picture or bad orthography in the story. Then, transform. Different edits make different stories. Change the POV or locale or descriptions to achieve different effects.

Writing without editing is like lazy point-and-shoot camerawork. Something interesting *might* emerge. Sure, that could happen.

 

[DreamCloud]

Interesting. Editing is my favorite part of writing. Maybe I'm weird.

I love editing too. It's not the most fun part of writing, but it's the most consistently fun.

Editing is fun. Good thing, because it's mandatory.

I am truly envious. I find it painful.
There are too many stories running around in my head. Rehashing one I already extracted is excruciating. I am going to have to bite the bullet and learn grammar. I have a fear it will kill the enjoyment of writing - hopefully, it is an unwarranted fear.

 

[bbtp41]

Writing without editing is like lazy point-and-shoot camerawork. Something interesting *might* emerge. Sure, that could happen.

Good point. I like woodworking and the project is not only not complete without sanding and finishing, it frequently isn't even the same object anymore. The difference between lumber and an armoire.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I belong to the WE'RE BUILDING A BOILER NOT A WATCH school.

That said, I have no red H's or high scoring stories, the highest is 4.40, a couple more are 4.2 something. I have a green E for one tale I spent 5 years on. I write to learn things about writing. Last nite, for example, I fell over a perfect transition from one episode to another. I cant find one fault in it. So now I'm obsessed discovering how it came to be. I cant care less how readers like it or how they score it. The transition is a gem and maybe holds a clue for better writing.