IWSG Post: On Editing and the hard stuff
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I feel like I've answered today's question in previous posts, so I'm going to talk about what's going on in my writing life right now. Which is to say, about editing my own work and how hard that can be.
It seems like every time I get a grip on the editing process, it slips away from me. Maybe that's because I keep learning more about the craft, which means more to think about. That's a good thing, right? But here's the truth: sometimes it's just overwhelming.
So, how do I cope (aside from, "badly")?
1. Break it down. Focus on a single element at a time. Address plot holes, then go back an address POV issues, then... the trouble is, even when I think I'm done with plot adjustments, every time I look at the MS, I see other things that need work. And there are all those new things to think about, like giving my MC something personal to work on as well as the murder to solve. And how to mislead the reader as to the perp. And is X, Y, or Z actually accurate?
1a. Break it down farther. Hard to do when I see new stuff all the time, but I'm trying?
2. Have accountability. Set myself a deadline and try to hit it (try to make it a realistic deadline). This kind of helps me to push through, though I'm already behind my deadlines. Way behind.
3. Maybe take breaks and do more writing? Knock out a short story? The trouble is, those are piling up, also in need of revision. Here's the sad truth: writing, for me at least, means a lot more time spent in revision than in drafting. And while I no longer hate and dread editing, as I did when I started out, it's still not as much fun.
Except:
4. Pay attention to the times when revisions are making the story shine and the prose sing. That's as good as making it happen the first time!
5. Rewards, or bribes. Some days I need to give myself something special to keep going. That might be a latte or a cookie, or permission to spend an hour with my nose in someone else's book.
How about you? What helps you when the revisions feel endless and you want to walk away, or just declare it done even though it isn't?
Writer Updates:
Sadly, no updates. Well, one. I got an encouraging rejection, with feedback that I don't have time to act on now.
No new submissions, no updates on a release date for Edited Out. I do have a blurb I think I can go with:
Who rubbed out the writer?
Winter in Maine is long, dark, and
cold, and California transplant Seffi Wardwell is combating the winter blues with
a full calendar. Tending the plants at the local bed-and-breakfast, writing reports
for the library, and generally keeping an eye on events in Smelt Point barely
leaves time for pastry and gossip at Sweet Dreams, the local bakery and heart
of the village.
When the participants at an artistic retreat held at the bed-and-breakfast become
cantankerous, Seffi is there to smooth things over, stiffen the spine of the
innkeeper, and keep things going. But when a writer turns up dead, Seffi’s
called on to wield a different kind of expertise. Then someone lets slip there
was poison in a coffee bought at Sweet Dreams, and it looks like Seffi’s
favorite source of treats is in real trouble. Can her knowledge of plants save
the inn—and the local bakery—before the killer strikes again and tears the
heart out of Smelt Point?
Feel free to let me know what you think of it, and be sure to visit as many IWSG posts as you can!
Gratuitous photo content:
©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2025
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.
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Sorry editing is challenging. I'm one of those weird writers that hates the first draft but really enjoys the editing.
ReplyDeleteLike the blurb. I feel the second line in the second paragraph is more impactful than the first though.
I can see that about the second paragraph. Maybe the first sentence isn’t needed? I feel like it’s important, though, in some ways. I’ll think about it.
DeleteI like the blurb too. And I agree with Alex that the second paragraph is stronger. I'm trying to stop the endless editing unless I'm dealing with big issues after I've edited a chapter multiple times. You can never edit enough, but at some point it's okay to stop.
ReplyDeleteWe have to just stop at some point, but i’m definitely not there!
DeleteWhen I want to walk away, I do. Take a breather. Go on a hike. Read for a minute. Granted, I'm not under any deadlines for publication at the moment (but so, so many other things,) but it's important to give our brains breathing space.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness, I listened to my Mom and decided to stick with indie-publishing, so I don’t have real deadlines.
DeleteWell, I changed a few more words in my 'final' MS today just idly looking through the first chapter. But I did want to ensure Lars had pretentious speaking style to start with :) But I think the rest is now ready, thanks largely to the excellence of my principal beta reader and her comments.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think this angst is partly due to the Creative Writing Industry that wants the story polished to death. And you have been teaching writing recently, have you not? I liked the first version (although the second was better).
Thanks for the kind words!
DeleteI like to focus on one item at a time when I'm editing. Of course, that doesn't always work because I get distracted by other issues along the way.
ReplyDeletehttps://substack.com/home/post/p-164762814
Same here! I used to have a cartoon that said something like “I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several attack me at once!” That’s kind of how it is with the edits when I try to keep a narrow focus.
DeleteI read somewhere that the editing can't be finished, only abandoned. The trick is to guess right at which point it is OK to stop the editing, tell yourself 'good enough,' and hit Publish. I agree with that statement. Find your 'good enough,' Rebecca, and don't worry about 'perfect.'
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo!
Thank you! I think I’m approaching my “good enough,” but the mystery has to work out right, and I’ve been chasing plot holes!
DeleteAnonymoulsy Esther O'Neill. Thanks for the reminder -so structured too - that editing your own work is - and should be - hard. Like the idea of giving myself permission to spend some time with my nose in someone else's book.
ReplyDelete