In the last two weeks we’ve talked about how you actually *are* a writer. How you *do* have a story to write. And how first you need to let yourself *just write* without worrying if it’s *just right* or not.
Now it’s time to talk about editing.
Because writing, like eating chocolate, can become self-indulgent. Discipline is just as good for writers as it is for tired moms who like to keep a stash of Peppermint Pattys in the freezer at all times. Yes, the freezer. You’re welcome.
So, here’s the thing – go for it. Write with wild abandon.
And then give yourself some time to cool. Eat a Peppermint Patty or two or five.
Then come back to that writing you love, those words you just birthed, that image you adore and -listen to me here – be ruthless.
Just because you love it doesn’t mean it gets to stay. It needs to serve a purpose. That phrase, that paragraph, that image needs to work. It needs to serve your story and your reader and it doesn’t get a break just because it’s pretty or it took you two days to come up with it.
If it doesn’t work, cut it.
Ruthless, y’all. Ruthless.
Now, what do you do with the pretties you sacrifice to the high and noble end of a tight, beautiful, disciplined piece of prose? Come back tomorrow for that.
::
Mandy Scarr
Love this! I’ve been thinking a lot about purpose today. I want to say something more than what sounds pretty, but identifying what I actually want to say isn’t always easy. You kinda need to have an idea of your purpose before you’ll know whether or not this something pretty fits…
Oh no. Don’t make me edit. I haven’t a concise bone in my body. And I so love the images, the metaphors, the way it sounds…..
Sigh.
I’m coming back tomorrow in case you tell me there’s a special place for all the bits I have to excise.
Thankyou for this, Lisa-Jo. I’m really enjoying this series.
x
Wise words, Lisa-Jo. I don’t think anyone likes to edit, but sometimes you simply gotta do it! Can’t wait to find out tomorrow what to do with all those trimmings!
As always, powerful words. Love the idea of words that “need to serve…your reader.” Puts it all in perspective. Thanks.
“Discipline is just as good for writers as it is for tired moms who like to keep a stash of Peppermint Pattys in the freezer at all times. Yes, the freezer. You’re welcome.”
LOVE THIS! LOL!
Frozen peppermint patties are their own love language, Phyllis. They truly truly are!
I love this approach. Sometimes I’m scared of editing because it turns into a shaming process – “Why did I write this? This is so bad!” I love the idea that editing down doesn’t mean the writing was bad – it just doesn’t serve the work or the reader at that particular time. Thanks!
Yes exactly, CJ. Editing is just like that necklace you love that might not go right with that dress. It doesn’t mean you throw it out, you just save it for a different occasion/story
Lisa- Jo,
Writer or not, I feel like these post this month are applicable (as an analogy) to many areas of my life
As I’ve learned in Al-Anon, it’s not necessarily the details of our stories that are the same, however, it is in the thinking and the feelings that we can relate.
Thank you for sharing.
I teach college-level writing classes, and we frequently discuss the revision process. It’s essential! (Annie Dillard calls it “killing your darlings” when you cut lines that you labored over and love.) Great writing advice — I echo it wholeheartedly!
I’m ~ smiling ~ about the peppermint patty tip . Great post!
This is the hardest part and I am so thrilled you are talking about it!!! (This is what has kept me from stepping into the title of Writer!) If I can’t Edit… am I really a Writer? I will be back tomorrow! Oh – and my favorite part: “Yes, the freezer. You’re welcome.” (Thanks for that too!)
~Karrilee~
Oh my… I’m an editing addict… Unfortunately I too think it’s all malarkey and end up not wanting to publish any of it!!
I agree – edit ruthlessly, but never never never just delete it.You can either save the work as a second document then edit, with the intent of highlighting what you didn’t use in the other copy. Alternatively, you can cut and paste it into a topical file. George R.R. Martin recently told students at a high school for the arts to never throw anything you’ve written away. I couldn’t agree more.
shhhh that’s tomorrow’s post
Sounds like we are on the same page – no pun intended.
Today is my 25th anniversary. I don’t have a normal marriage. I know no one is normal, but my is way out in left field. A story for another day. I spent the last 3 months on what I wrote today.
Thanks for the Dare to make this happen. (And I really mean #25)
“Just because you love it doesn’t mean it gets to stay. It needs to serve a purpose.”–a profound truth. One that applies not just to our writing, but to so many other areas of our lives as well. Thank you for sharing!
I like that! I totally do that. Sometimes I am an editing fanatic! But it’s good. I always end up with what I wanted.