[stylist] Editing while writing

Tue Mar 3 04:14:08 UTC 2009

I rarely ever edit a poem.  When I edit stories I just delete the whole dumb 
thing.  I read books all the time but am a no-good story writer.
Barbara

If wisdom's ways you wisely seek, five things observe with care:  of whom 
you speak, to whom you speak, and how and when and where.

--------------------------------------------------
From: <LoriStay at aol.com>
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 11:39 AM
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Editing while writing

> It depends on the writer!   I have to write the whole thing, then go back 
> and
> edit.   Not true for everyone, I guess.
> Lori
> In a message dated 3/2/09 1:41:32 AM, fowlers at syix.com writes:
>
>
>> 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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