When you feel the text is just right. Yes, but how do you know that? Is it not possible to spoil a perfectly good text by editing too much? Can we really judge our own works fairly?
When you feel the text is just right. Yes, but how do you know that? Is it not possible to spoil a perfectly good text by editing too much? Can we really judge our own works fairly?
I don't think you can ever stop editing..... every time I pick mine up I chop and change the words around!! grrrrrrrrrrr
Frenzy is a great way to write.
It isn't necessarily productive in the long term - at least - not the item in itself...
But - whenever the frenzy is there (and you can) I would always go with it.
Then, however, I would leave it. I would definitley not attempt to edit it at once. Why inflict that on yourself? Isn't it a bit like the "rational" side of yourself asking the "creative" side 'Was that good for you?'
Why take all the fun out of the afterglow?
If the concept is still there in a day or two - well - then it can be good to take a look - see how it was... Even then - don't just bin it if it looks like rubbish. How many artists paint the Sistine Chapel in the first few years of their work?
If nothing else old work can always give one a great laugh looking back at it - or it might turn up a useful idea...
When I started writing (fiction) properly again about eight years ago I was terrified that if I didn't keep material in my head and get it onto paper as fast as possible I would lose it. I found though that ideas stay there. Whether I can find where I've put them in MS or docs is entirely a different matter...
The most frustrating thing is when I re-open a document, look at it and know that I added something - but, while I can recall the gist of what it was, the actual words are not there... Then it's time to go hunting. Sometimes I find the material - and others I have to do it again - or leave it.
This is all part of the fun. :-)
David
I try to get many different people to read my work and get their input. I don't use all of their input but i do take it all into consideration. When i can afford it I try to get a piece seen by an actual editor so i at least know spelling, punctuation, grammar are ok.
I also put stuff away for a while, work on another part of the book or another story then go back to it with a fresh eye.
Sometimes i wake up in the mornings with an idea of something else i need to add to a chapter to make it better, more heartfelt etc