Regarding Editing: Am I Crazy?

FloVoyager · Aug 6, 2006

I enjoy editing. In fact, I think it's more fun than the original writing phase. It's where I take this baby I've given birth to and raise him/her up to be an adult I can be proud of. It's where I add polish and take out anything that shouldn't be there, or doesn't need to be there if length is a problem (which it usually is). I actually look forward to the editing stage.

And over and over again I read here how people dread and even hate editing.

Is there something wrong with me? :Shrug:

Okay, I'm half kidding here. Maybe I'm blessed, since it has to be done whether I like it or not. But I'm wondering if I'm the only one, or if there are others out there like me, who dive into the editing with unrestrained glee. :e2BIC:

eldragon · Aug 6, 2006

I fairly enjoy it, too. I write a line or two, then edit it. Then I finish the chapter and go back and edit it again. Of course, it needs to edited after it's finished, too.

And, in fact - is never finished being edited. I can always find something that needs to be changed.

There is something completely satisfying about taking a 15 word sentence and whacking it down to 6 perfect words.

I agree.

rchastain · Aug 6, 2006

Editing is fun. Cutting to bring out and highlight the best writing kind of thrills me. Now the first draft--that's torture

Provrb1810meggy · Aug 6, 2006

I don't particularlly enjoy editing. I love writing the first drafts, but hey, you're not crazy! You're just weird...

Andre_Laurent · Aug 6, 2006

The first draft was a lot more fun than editing. And I don't think I will ever be happy with the results of editing... therefore, I may edit myself to death, lol.

maestrowork · Aug 6, 2006

Writing the first draft is fun because I get to play with things, create new stuff, flash out an idea that has been haunting me... but editing is fun, too. I get to polish the thing to make it shine, and adding details is half the fun (I tend to underwrite in first drafts).

Linda Adams · Aug 6, 2006

I enjoy editing, too. Proofreading though ...

triceretops · Aug 6, 2006

The first draft is the joy of discovery, kinda like the first date, or the first time you....well, you know.

Tri

Thomma Lyn · Aug 6, 2006

I enjoy the rush of inspiration and creation in writing the first draft of a novel, but I always look forward, in particular, to editing. Editing is the phase where I take the raw form and hone, craft, and sculpt it.

I spend a lot of time editing and polishing - more time than I do on my first drafts. I wrote the first draft of my latest novel in just over two months; I've spent the last seven months editing and polishing it.

First drafts are like a lump of clay shaped into a general form by the sculptor's hands. Editing is like the chest full of precision tools to hone and shape that form into the best thing it can be. And oh, how I love those precision tools!

merper · Aug 6, 2006

I know exactly what you mean. To be honest, the only thing that gets me through the first draft is the fact that once the story's all out there, I can edit it that much easier.

I really can't stand the first draft, but maybe that's because I plot the story separately from actually writing it, so the rush of inspiration tends to go with the plotting part - which is actually very fun for me, because that is the story, just without all the hassle of explaining it all out for the stupid reader who can't just read my mind :rant:

.

Editing, you get to make it sparkle and shine, get all the fat out - or so I'm hoping.

Then again, the only "story" i've done both phases on is a 20k word start that I never finished, so what do I know.

victoria.goddard · Aug 6, 2006

I've been looking forward to getting to the proper editing stage for the last few months. I think of writing like sculpting, too, and I like to think of that story where (I believe) Michelangelo, upon being asked how he made his sculptures, replied that he took away everything but the form. We're writers: we get to make our marble first. Then we get to take away everything but what's supposed to be there. And am I ever excited about starting that! Hopefully later on this week...

Jenny · Aug 6, 2006

I enjoy the editing stage too. Making up the story in the first place - getting those pesky characters to behave - that just makes my brain hurt.

blackbird · Aug 6, 2006

Editing is cool. That's when you can really start to see the thing take shape.

Soccer Mom · Aug 6, 2006

I like the first two editing passes. After that, when you get to the proofing stage it's yucky.

moth · Aug 6, 2006

I love editing. :heart:

Can't Catch A Break · Aug 6, 2006

Editing makes my head hurt. You think you've created a masterpiece but you have to get your hands dirty and begin to mold again. I spend an indefinate amount of time on the Potter's wheel fine tuning my mistakes.

Shadow_Ferret · Aug 6, 2006

To me the differences between writing the first draft and editing are like the differences between being Lewis and Clarke, discovering wild and dangerous new country and seeing things no other European had seen before, and being a grunt at Rand McNally going over the same old stretch of highway to make sure someone remembered to add a turnoff at mile 64.

The former is adventure, the latter is tedium.

Scrawler · Aug 6, 2006

I love editing, too. My first drafts are a chore- like building a house. It's the editing, the polishing, the reworking that's the interior design and decorating.

Jenny · Aug 6, 2006

Scrawler, great metaphor!

Jamesaritchie · Aug 7, 2006

editing

Yes, you are crazy. Seek propfessional help immediately. Have someone tie you up until said help arrives. You are not sane, and pose a danger to all civilized people.

Shadow_Ferret · Aug 7, 2006

Scrawler said:
I love editing, too. My first drafts are a chore- like building a house. It's the editing, the polishing, the reworking that's the interior design and decorating.

hehe. Makes me wonder if this is a gender preference (or if I'm just odd), but to me the fun part would be the actual building of the house, putting up the walls and roof and entire structure until it looks like the house you had pictured in your head. To me the interior design and decorating would be the boring part.

FloVoyager · Aug 7, 2006

Yes, you are crazy. Seek propfessional help immediately. Have someone tie you up until said help arrives. You are not sane, and pose a danger to all civilized people.

LOL Ah, okaaaay.

icerose · Aug 7, 2006

I am trying to look more positively on editing, for the longest time I have despised editing. No it isn't a gender thing or maybe I was born by mistake as a woman.

I find it a dreadful thing and try to put it off as long as I can. I know this is the polish and I know this is where you bring the story to a higher life, but dang it! I already wrote the dang thing, why can't I move onto a new story, and have this one just come out perfect?

Shadow_Ferret · Aug 7, 2006

I meant the house building analogy as a gender thing, not writing itself.

MidnightMuse · Aug 7, 2006

I both love Editing and hate Editing. The part I love about it is the fact that, by reaching that stage it means you managed to start and end a full manuscript. The part I hate about it is having to read said manuscript with one eye closed for fear I'll discover some hideous flaw or serious suckage.

Once I give it a go-over and realize (if indeed it is the case) that there's no serious suckage, then the line by line edits can be enjoyable.

But no matter how much I edit, or how often I read the ms, every time I do, I'll find something I want to change. It's the nature of the beast. Writers are never done with a piece, we just force ourselves to start another.

Regarding Editing: Am I Crazy?

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