Writer Fears: Editing10/8/2022 It is a cold rainy afternoon, thunders crashing in the distance. It is dark outside, and the Pomodoro timer is already counting down. Hiding somewhere in the depth of your computer’s archives, lies an overwhelming, chaotic file: a first draft. Where to begin? How to tackle your plot, characters, settings, and scenes? How many drafts will you need to go through? Will you ever be satisfied with your piece? At one point or another, every writer has been there. The beginning of every second draft is an important step on the path to publication, but editing can become scary when reality sets in and we know that our characters are rough and we have the unnerving presage that sooner or later we might fall into a plot hole. Having a sketchy first draft and pushing through to improve it is something that every writer should be proud of. Most of us will also have a variety of methods that suit our goals and processes better. And so, I have explored two main pieces of editing advice from the writing community, best-selling authors, and my own experience, which will hopefully make this journey less frightening. One Draft, One Goal To tackle the editing process, many writers decide to focus on one main group of improvements per draft. Attempting to correct everything in one go can prove to be chaotic since progress is difficult to recognize and keep track of. Writers often drive inspiration from one another. It can also be useful to go further and try new writing processes that have worked out for others. For example, Brandon Sanderson’s editing process is divided into several parts:
Switch Your Format One of the most unique tips I have found in the writing community was to change your font when starting your next drafts. I had never considered this, but once I tried it out, I realized that it made writing a little more fun. Sometimes, a small change in format goes a long way. If you are writing short stories, poetry, or even screenwriting, try printing your work and going through it with a pen. Personally, I like to color-code my edits when using this method. For example, I will cross out unnecessary sentences or switch the order of paragraphs with red, and add notes, scenes, or dialogues with blue. I will include this in my document for my third draft and proofread on my computer as well. Another method is to read your writing out loud. Maya Angelou, renowned author, poet, director, and speaker explained during an interview with Claudia Tate that she used to read what she had written during the day to her husband. She never asked for comments, instead, she said: “Sometimes I hear the dissonance; then I try to straighten it out in the morning.” A Process Made For You You take some time to make yourself a hot cup of tea, get comfortable and face your draft. You remind yourself that imperfection is a place to improve. Once the Pomodoro timer ends and the rain stops, you notice that editing is not as intimidating as you thought. But that is just because you decided to experiment. Throughout this process, you will have to adapt your method and trust your gut. Paula Argudois a young planster with too much passion and too little time on a day. She has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, whether they are thoroughly researched flash fiction pieces or improvised bedtime stories.
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