As a race, we are being asked to socially distance ourselves from others. I feel for those social people in times like these. Whilst my daughter and I will find it relatively simple to adjust to having limited human contact, my son is going to find it extremely difficult. He’s a sports nut who needs to be outside participating in team sports and being around others in general. I’m sure that over the next few weeks he will be climbing the walls of this brick cage we inhabit, trying to break out. We will try our best to occupy him, but it will be a tough job.
My daughter and I are lucky. We’re not anti-social, but we can cope when left to our own devices. She has her artwork both on the computer and on paper. I have my writing, coursework, and reading. I also have editing to complete. That is, in fact, what this blog is about.
In my drawer, I have an (approximately) 102K word manuscript that is completed but untouched as far as editing goes. I also have the editing for ‘Raising Hell’ which I am currently working my way through. It’s proving to be slow work. But editing usually is in my case.
So, why is one being edited whilst the other languishes in a dust drawer? Well, when I finished the first WIP, I discovered that I hated editing with a passion. Every time I looked at those lily-white ink drenched sheets, I hesitated. All I could see was chapter upon chapter of flaws. It wasn’t good enough. Would it be better if the POV was changed? What was I thinking? Editing became my foe due to my constant overthinking. So I walked away.
With ‘Raising Hell’ the process has been markedly different. As I wrote Blaine, I treated each chapter as a short story and edited spelling errors and grammar at the end of each section. I know that my writing partner did the same for Cadence. This won’t work for everyone, but it’s worked so far for us. Obviously, now both viewpoints have been spliced together it is not only spelling and grammar that are the issues. Once it has been read by others there will be a matter of closing plot holes. At the moment I am trying to make my writing tighter (it can be clunky in places) and ironing out any missed words. Once sections are added or removed it will need checking all over again. All this needs to be completed whilst trying to control the usual urge to submit to my constant need to overthink. It should be uncomfortable. It should make me want to hang up my gloves and walk away again. But this time it hasn’t.
I’m not going to say that I love editing now, although I’m certain I enjoy it that little bit more. It’s part of the process. It’s part of giving the WIP the love and attention it needs. It is necessary. I can, however, say that I don’t hate it. I have respect for the process. I suppose I can say that these days editing is edging closer to being my friend. Like any important relationship, it’s never easy, but it’s worth it.
Keep yourselves safe and sane, all. Until next time.
T.F. Webb 