I'm in the mad dash for my publishing deadline of March 1 (yes, It's self-imposed and yes, only I will be upset if I miss it, but it's MY deadline ;))- anywho, I'm writing book two (The Obsidian Chimera), editing book one (The Glass Gargoyle), and making notes for book three (The Emerald Dragon) and as often happens when one is doing three things at once, one thing leaks over into the other.
In this case, my editing-self is going after my writer-self again. The planning-self is fine playing in her corner with ideas and making grandiose plans for book three that will make writer-self insane once she knows about it, but for now she's good.
The editing-self is a bully.
Pure and simple, that self cracks down hard (when forced) and rips things apart. This is great when editing or going over another person's edits, but not when writing.
The writing-self needs to get the words on the page and let someone sort them out later. But she can't do that when the editing-self is pushing her way in and nit-picking while things are being written.
So today I am officially banishing my editor self-- it's either that or beat her up. I will even go so far as to put on a special shirt when the editor can come out and work. Hopefully, a physical change will keep her kibitzing away from my delicate writer-self.
When I write, I write very fast and dirty drafts, then clean up as I run through edits. I have heard of some folks who can edit as they write, but aside from typos, that's not me. If you're a writer- what's your style? Am I the only one with an aggressive editor-self?
I tend to reread the work from the day before and edit that then begin on the work for the day. I try to put the editor away while I work on new stuff. She's had her chance and she'll have her chance tomorrow. Everyone plays nice and takes their turn. If I wait until the draft is completely finished to edit, the editor goes bonkers and starts pulling the writer up short with a "Are you sure? Really? You've got to be kidding. Where did that come from? Now everything in Chapter 2 has to be redone!" I give her a taste to keep her from eating me alive.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way to control her! I do that to a point, but I usually only go back a page or two. Thanks for coming by and sharing how you control the editor-self, Sharon!
DeleteMarie- at day job- can't get on blogger
I write super fast first drafts sans any self editing, then spend plenty of time on at least 2 re-reads which is when I allow that monster to rear her head.
ReplyDeletenice post.
thanks for sharing your thoughts
Sounds like you've come to terms with your editor-self quite well, Liz! And I'm glad you enjoyed the post :)
DeleteMarie- at day job can't get on blogger
I'm slow all around--writing and editing. But I do typically edit while I write. And I'm a pantser, so that usually equals a lot of editing. Ah well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do well with not beating yourself up!
Excellent- another from the edit as you go school! This shows no matter how you do it, it's the right way! Thanks- the editor and I are having a truce right now- I'm not wearing the designated editor shirt ;).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
I edit while I type the early drafts, but only because I can't help it. It's a disease.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! Maybe there's a 12 step program for you, Ken? ;). Hey if it's working- don't knock it!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
The internal editor, ugh. I always tell her I typed it perfect the first time! Or should I say perfectly? ;)
ReplyDeleteHEH, does she listen to you, Jessa? Mine just gives an evil cackle and continues to rampage through my brain.
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
I edit and look for typos as I write. I can't help myself. If I see something that needs changing, I can't concentrate on writing until I fix it.
ReplyDeleteI will hit the real obvious ones- but it seems like if I linger too long while writing the rough draft- the editor-self runs amuck! Thanks for coming by, Lori! :)
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