Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Writers, Don't Resist the Urge to Edit


This was a writing tip quote posted today: "Never resist editing, because your writing isn't etched in stone and can always be improved for the reader."


This is true. 

If you're like many writers, your writing is your baby.  It's hard to dispose of flowery sentences you thought were brilliant.  But if they don't add to the product they are only fluff. C
hopping sections and slicing others can feel brutal.

I've had sentences I've been very attached to, but in reading them back, while they may sound nice, they don't make simple sense. They complicate the point.

Editing must be done.  So what can you do to help calm the pain?

  1. You can save the edited parts as a separate document.  If you ever want to re-insert them or use them again, you will have them available.

  2. Realize that cutting your article or book down may mean you actually can multiply your end product.  That is, a lengthy article may be able to be split into two or more articles. 

  3. The edited pages of your book may become part of your sequel. 

Don't resist editing!  Just do it!

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