Do you like the creative process of getting the story down for the first time?
Or do you prefer taking what is there and shaping and forming it into something else?
Do you prefer drafting or editing of that draft?
Me, personally ... I'd much prefer to edit. Getting that first draft out can be tortuous and never ends. It keeps going and going like an energizer bunny. (And yes, that probably dates me a bit. lol). I much prefer taking what is there and making it shine.
Now, if you were to ask me if I liked editing after I've done the same manuscript at least a dozen times... Well, that is different. Editing THAT much makes my eyes bleed. As much as I love my upcoming novel, I truly don't want to look at it ever again.
My favorite draft is probably the 3rd. Second draft can be hard, as you restructure problems that came up through the creation. But by the 3rd or 4th time though, it is more like painting a piece of potter that is molded and formed. THAT kind of editing, I love.
I'm currently trying to finish writing my sequel to THE EMISSARY (psst, it's up on goodreads if you want to check it out). I've been editing, and avoiding the last two chapters of drafting. Terrible, aren't I? I use editing to procrastinate finishing the dang book. So if anyone wants to give me some cheers and "you can do it", you can add that too. lol. About two more days, if I work, and that bit will be done. Then I can go back and continue to edit until it shines.
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| photo credit: Nic's events via photopin cc |
With that being said, I'm off to pound out some pages. Remember: Time is running out for applications for our blog as well as our survey in the sidebar. We want to hear from you.
6 comments:
I like aspects of both, though it might depend on what stage of the book you ask me. If it's early drafting, I'm still googly-eyed for the book, but the honeymoon wears off about 75 pages in. And it's edits and rewrites that feel neverending to me, because I can always find something to tweak!
1) YOU CAN DO IT!
2) I am constantly editing that first draft as I go (I'm all over the place) so I'd say I like first drafts/editing and revising is decent but definitely *not* the final editing at the end when you have seen it so many times you want to be *done* already! (Ya know?)
So far I strongly prefer drafting. I enjoy it and the excitement of what could be. I have yet to be a success at editing. I just get depressed that it isn't as good as I'd hoped, I don't know what to do (despite reading everything I can about how to edit) and I just want to throw in the towel! I feel like editing just reminds me of what a bad writer I am whereas with drafting there is so much potential.
Meg Cabot referred to this as egg laying vs. egg polishing. I'm definitely more of an egg layer--drafting in full is usually no problem. I draft fast, but I also draft skeletal. Especially with the last two books I wrote. And that's where my large, fat, hairy inner editor takes over. I am a terrible egg polisher. (Hence my previous perfectionism post. :)) But I'm working on it--putting a cap on my edits (5 pages a day minimum, and if I do more, great), has helped a great deal.
Drafting. Hands down no questions asked.
I'll do the editing, but I wear a different hat. A tight hat. It's very ugly, but it is also very perfect. It matches the outfits on the covers of (GQ, Cosmo, whatever fashion magazine people think has great covers- idk) popular attention getting magazines. It's what tomorrow's dictators are wearing today! :O
The drafting hat is comfortable. It's more like a hoodie. An old one. All soft and natural. Don't even know that it's on. Snuggly. Cozy. Safe. Happy.
When I started writing, I thought drafting was the best. I thought I could get by with proofreading only. Over time I realized just how awesome editing is. Now I draft out the bones of the story, and I consider the fun part editing. There's just something invigorating about taking a rough draft and turning it into something good. Edit suggestions from my editors? That can be a whole different can of worms. Nerve wracking doesn't even begin to describe it as I wait for the email or phone call I know is coming any day now. But I'll find my editing groove and rock it. I hope...
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