[stylist] Editing while writing

Mon Mar 2 15:01:59 UTC 2009

When I write an article or do work on my novel I find that I am better when 
I write at night and then edit it in the morning.  Morning is my best 
editting time.  Judith
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Angela fowler" <fowlers at syix.com>
To: "'NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 12:22 AM
Subject: [stylist] Editing while writing


> 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.
>>
>>_______________________________________________
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>><http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>
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>>
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