How awesome was yesterday, right? A huge good luck to those who got their tweet pitches in. To those who didn't, fingers crossed for the next M.A. contest.
I'm afraid I'm not feeling my chirpy cookie self today. An attack of earache has me in its throbbing, evil grasp. But never fear, I've found a way to post through the pain -- and link it to writing.
Earache is one of those things that sneaks up on you. You can be walking around, content in your own world, and then bam, a gust of wind rushes in your ears. You know it's coming, but you try to ignore it. Hours later you're awake at 2am clutching a hot water bottle watching CSI: Las Vegas repeats.
But earache has a productive side. Oh yes. You know the nagging feeling you get when your ear throbs? Well, it's kind of like with editing. You write your MS, walk around all chirpy and la la la, but you know it's coming. You want to ignore it, but you can't.
After my fantabulous CPs give me their feedback, I begin. I tend to use my gut feeling for a lot of my editing. You know, the little nag inside you that tells you something isn't quite right? With earache you treat it. You take some painkillers, grab a hot water bottle and snuggle down for a nap, waiting for the throb to go away. With editing, the throb is something you can't ignore. So you open your word document, get your editing tools, and wait for the throb to start. If I don't feel the throb on a certain area, I pretty much leave it alone.
My earache editing motto: feel the throb, treat the problem.
What about you? Got any editing tips to share?
Yep, I'm the bozo who posted a pitch with 140 words instead of characters. DUH!!! lol.... My bad. *doesn't follow instructions*
ReplyDeleteAnyway, what a great op, so I'll be back for the next one. Good luck to those who DID follow instructions and got their tweets in.
As for editing, I sometimes start from the end of the story and edit backwards by chapter to make sure everything jives. Also, I have to take a month long break before my second round of revisions. It's amazing what fresh eyes and brain can do.
Good luck!
I'm wanting to try the throw-the-pages-of-a-chapter-up-in-the-air-then-choose-a-random-page method. Don't know if it works, but hope to find out soon. :)
ReplyDeleteFunny post. I totally get those earaches!
Aww, get well soon, Lindsay girl! Earaches are no fun... just like editing. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm normally always behind on the game but it was a lot of fun to put my pitch into the pile even if nothing comes of it!! What a great opportunity!!
ReplyDeleteI hope that earache of yours feels better! That really stinks!
Lovely analogy!
ReplyDeleteJust like being sick I usually cure everything with food and dealing with the problem right away. My husband may never go to the doctor, but at the first sign of a cold I'm there. Better to nip things in the bud then have them lag forever...and if that doesn't work then chicken soup works great for MS and colds!
And feel better! My nana used to put warm olive oil in my ears when I had earaches. I don't know if that actually works, but it helped to numb it!
Here's hoping you get past this quickly. I wish editing was something I liked more. Usually, I don't get around to it until it's an urgent ache (very good word here) that must be treated.
ReplyDeleteFunny -- and hugs for the earache.
ReplyDeleteHope your ear feels better soon :) (My editing tip: step away from the MS until it cools.)
ReplyDelete