[stylist] Editing while writing

Thu Apr 16 12:56:05 UTC 2009

Cindy, I hear you, Everybody's a damn critic. Its amazing how many people
tell you that just because you're doing it different from the way they do it
its wrong. There's a hundred ways of doing something, all of them just as
effective depending on your particular strengths.  

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of slery
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 6:10 PM
To: 'NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Editing while writing

I'm a little late to this thread, but I am so happy to hear both Robert and
Judith use this method and they are successful writers.

At heart, I know that I am an editor that likes to write. My writing has
been almost non-existent for quite some time now. The first stumbling block
was the fact that I liked to make all first drafts and notes long hand. That
method of writing is no longer an option for me. Second, I was beginning to
feel like I must not be a writer because everyone successful that I knew
kept wanting to beat into me not to edit until I could get the first draft
down.

Most of the time, I'll get a scene done before going back and editing. I
found that it helped me catch the little details that were wrong and the
ones that would lead me in a direction I didn't even know I was going.

I know intellectually that every writer has their own style but it just
seemed like everyone was saying I was doing it wrong and therefore wouldn't
be able to publish.

Sorry for the rant.

Cindy
Hopefully, able to get back on the horse soon.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Newman
> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 9:09 PM
> To: 'NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Editing while writing
> 
> 
> I also edit as I go. The stream goes like this- Write, write until the 
> new creative surge stops; then while that deeper creative animal rest 
> and regroups, I spend time cleaning up, doing editing. The time spend 
> editing and the process of doing the thinking necessary to make 
> intelligent corrections is the time my creative animal needs to rest 
> and the resulting clearer text brought about by the editing will 
> sometimes be the stroking and feeding that can get that anamal roaring 
> again.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Robert Leslie Newman
> Email- newmanrl at cox.net
> THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
> Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James Canaday M.A. 
> N6YR
> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 12:55 AM
> To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Editing while writing
> 
> some of why I do it is the knowledge of glaring problems in my 
> original composition and I just can't leave that behind me.  but yes, 
> it is like the conscious part of my mind is then fixing the potholes 
> misspellings, word problems, etc., while my subconscious mind is 
> clearing the road ahead and laying things down that just need to be 
> composed in letters. jc
> 
> Jim Canaday M.A.
> Lawrence, KS
> 
> At 11:22 PM 3/1/2009, you wrote:
> >Jim, its funny, but I do the same thing with my essays. I'll write a 
> >paragraph or two, and when I run out of steam I'll edit what
> I've got. 
> >Often times once I have edited what I have my mind has
> somehow moved on
> >to the next piece and I can write it.
> >         I spoke of that in my English 1C class, and the instructor 
> >said that most people couldn't do that, they needed to write
> the whole
> >thing and then edit. I would like to hear what other writers think 
> >about this. Can you guys edit and write at the same time? Or, do you 
> >need to do it separately, and never the two shall meet?
> Let's talk about
> this.
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> >Behalf Of James Canaday M.A. N6YR
> >Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 9:15 PM
> >To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
> >Subject: Re: [stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing
> >
> >dear Chelsea,
> >that was a well written explanation of your process.
> >
> >however some people might do things differently for various reasons.
> >after I write a section I like to go back and do some editing and 
> >proofing on it then, I find it actually helps prepare me to
> write the next
> section.
> >
> >but that's my method.
> >
> >I hope you get a novel published.
> >
> >jc
> >Jim Canaday M.A.
> >Lawrence, KS
> >
> >At 07:38 PM 3/1/2009, you wrote:
> > >Chelsea,  You are right!  Your first book will be a masterpiece!
> > >Judith
> > >----- Original Message ----- From: "Chelsea Cook"
> > ><astrochem119 at gmail.com>
> > >To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> > >Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 3:36 PM
> > >Subject: [stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing
> > >
> > >
> > >Hi all,
> > >
> > >We are finishing a unit on process in English and had to compose a 
> > >set of instructions to the reader. Since this assignment could be 
> > >creative, I took the liberty of writing down how I go about 
> > >storytelling. Keep in mind, I am just one person, but I
> thought I'd
> > >share my way with you all. (Lori, anything I forgot or you
> would like
> > >to add, please feel free to do so.) Let me know what you think.
> > >Thanks.
> > >
> > >How to Write a Novel:
> > >
> > >1.  Read.  Anything and everything, classic and
> contemporary, prose
> > >and poetry, fact and fiction.  This will give you a basis
> of syntax,
> > >style, and structure, and you never know which lines will leap 
> > >immediately off the page or sink into your subconscious as future 
> > >ideas.  In either case, they will wait for the perfect
> time and then
> > >scream without
> > >relent: "Write me! Write me!"
> > >
> > >2.  Observe.  Take every new and uncomfortable situation as an 
> > >adventure for the senses.  If you are sitting near the
> kitchen in a
> > >diner, notice the changing smells every second from syrup
> to mashed
> > >potatoes to fish.  Listen to how the person working calls
> out orders.
> > >Is the voice male or female? Grown or college age? What is
> the tone?
> > >Is the person polite or obnoxious? These (and all other
> trinkets of
> > >detail you gather) will help shape your characters and
> worlds later
> > >and add clarity and reality to your writing.  Pay
> attention, and you
> > >will be rewarded.
> > >Note: These two implements are the most important
> background for the
> > >beginning writer.  Never stop doing them, even in the
> other phases of
> > >the process.  Also note that the next three steps can be
> done in any
> > >order as long as they are all accomplished by the end of the book.
> > >
> > >3.  Find a friend.  Think of a character that will suit
> the type of
> > >book (which doesn't have to be labeled yet) you want to
> write.  This
> > >character can be based on traits from real life, traits
> that you have
> > >(or would like to), traits and actions completely opposite from 
> > >yours, or a person whose life you've always wondered
> about.  However,
> > >it is almost always guaranteed that the character will carry some 
> > >part of you, its author and creator.
> > >
> > >4.  Find a way.  If your characters don't fall into place
> yet, fine.
> > >That's all right.  Create a situation you would like them
> to get into.
> > >Character and plot are so tightly intertwined that by the
> end of your
> > >book, you may have trouble distinguishing which you started with.
> > >Sometimes the author is just the translator for the
> character; during
> > >others, the book may be going along at such breakneck
> speeds that all
> > >the writer can do is enjoy the exhilaration, keep the pen
> moving, and
> > >hang on for the ride.
> > >
> > >5.  Find a reason.  Maybe you (or your story person) is
> fascinated or
> > >passionate about a particular subject or hobby.  If so, make that 
> > >part (or the whole) development of your book.  You never
> know where
> > >crazy, wild, seemingly fruitless and unconnected ideas may lead.  
> > >Don't dismiss them.
> > >
> > >6.  Organize Ideas.  Once you have a character, plot, or premise 
> > >(remember, any or all will get you started) put ideas together and 
> > >see what happens.  Something may come out of this
> brainstorm.  Write
> > >an outline if that is your preferred method, make
> connections in your
> > >head while on a walk or in the shower, keep a notebook
> everywhere; be
> > >comfortable.  There is no "right" way, so long as sparks
> start fires.
> > >
> > >7.  Write readily.  Do this whenever, whatever.  Don't worry about 
> > >genre or market yet.  Just sit down and compose when time
> and energy
> > >are on your side.  If neither are, plan for them to be.  Set goals 
> > >you know you can meet within an expected limit.  Write on
> weekends,
> > >mornings, or evenings, whatever block of time works.  
> Flexibility is
> > >key, and procrastination is detrimental to your work.  If
> there is an
> > >idea inside you, it will have to come out sooner or later. 
>  Your book
> > >will get finished if you have the passion, willpower,
> determination,
> > >and persistence to do so.  Also, don't sweat the small stuff.  
> > >Writing a novel is not easy.  Just soldier on, take a
> break (without
> > >leaving
> > >entirely) and remember the purpose of revision.
> > >Note: During writing, characters and ideas will float
> freely through
> > >your subconscious.  If you feel another novel or story coming on, 
> > >capture as many details and images in a notebook or file
> as you can,
> > >but concentrate on this project first.  By starting too
> many books,
> > >your commitment to each will proportionally diminish and you will 
> > >never be able to finish any one.  Let every character have
> his or her
> > >own time, place, and individualized attention to develop and grow.
> > >
> > >8.  Rest.  After your first-draft manuscript is complete, take a 
> > >reprieve from it.  A few weeks or months usually suffices; just 
> > >enough time for you to wonder what that story of yours was
> about anyway.
> > >Don't reread your book now, no matter how strong the temptation.  
> > >This distance will give you objectivity later for editing.
> > >
> > >9.  Rewrite (also called revising and editing.) It does not matter 
> > >which of these two you do first, as long as both are completed and 
> > >you've read your book.  Read through the first draft carefully, 
> > >changing and reworking areas as needed.  After this initial stage, 
> > >keep cutting and pasting, adjusting and aligning prose
> until all the
> > >scenes and places in your story (big and small) are there
> for a purpose.
> > >Every word matters, especially in suspense works.  Read your book 
> > >aloud; ask for outside opinions.  These are not only
> crucial to your
> > >rewrite, but will give you valuable feedback and insights
> as to the
> > >musicality and validity of your story.
> > >
> > >10.  Stop.  When you have identified problems in your book but are 
> > >unable to fix them (or the revisions make things worse)
> you know your
> > >book is done.  Stop rewriting.  You also know your book is
> complete
> > >when there is no more work left to do in this phase.  
> (Don't get hung
> > >up here or you'll keep rewriting forever, and no one wants that.) 
> > >Readers want to read, after all.
> > >
> > >11.  Revel.  You've written a novel! Enjoy the moment.  If
> the world
> > >of publishing intrigues you, explore that avenue.  If not,
> take away
> > >the personal satisfaction, pleasures, and growth that you have 
> > >composed an entire novel.
> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >Writers Division web site:
> > >http://www.nfb-writers-division.org
> > ><http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
> > >
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> > >
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