I recently wrote an essay called "How collaboration makes art better" - so I think we are of one mind about this!! I *love* revision. It is hands-down my favourite part of the whole writing process. And there is no greater joy than when you find someone (an agent, an editor, a critique partner) who gets what you're trying to do with a piece and can step in and help you make it better in ways you could never have achieved on your own. I really delight in others' ideas for my work!
I used to hate editing. Now I love it (and ironically ended up editing for a living!), and I actually think it’s where some of the most exciting writing discoveries come from - whether you’re self-editing or working with someone. Because once you have the basic lump of clay down, you’re free to play! People seem to have the most resistance to editing when they forget that everything is changeable (and put-backable) and this stage should be just as fun as the honeymoon period of the first draft. Even better if you have someone you trust who can sensitivity and considerately give you the right kind of nudges and questions to tell the story even more effectively. Which is what editing really should be - not just cutting stuff and moving commas around.
Love this post, Heather, and your recognition of the necessity of having a good editor, even when it's painful: - 'I needed someone to cut me loose from this sentence, so thank you'.
Oh, your current editing experience sounds wonderful. Enjoy. (Side note, I was once walking down the street and had an orgasm 'out of nowhere', which was indeed quite unsettling haha)
I wonder if so much of writing is creating an illusion that what you’re saying is almost one continuous thought of your own, that editing is almost a window into how that isn’t really true?
I know I’ve had that experience of having to say “really another person has developed my voice here” when someone might have been taken in by that illusion— like the death of the author is more apparent when you are the writer who is being confused with them
Thank you Heather - I'm just about to go into my first edit on my first book, so this was very timely! I feel much more prepared now for what's ahead...thanks so much 💕🙏
I recently wrote an essay called "How collaboration makes art better" - so I think we are of one mind about this!! I *love* revision. It is hands-down my favourite part of the whole writing process. And there is no greater joy than when you find someone (an agent, an editor, a critique partner) who gets what you're trying to do with a piece and can step in and help you make it better in ways you could never have achieved on your own. I really delight in others' ideas for my work!
Totally agree!
I used to hate editing. Now I love it (and ironically ended up editing for a living!), and I actually think it’s where some of the most exciting writing discoveries come from - whether you’re self-editing or working with someone. Because once you have the basic lump of clay down, you’re free to play! People seem to have the most resistance to editing when they forget that everything is changeable (and put-backable) and this stage should be just as fun as the honeymoon period of the first draft. Even better if you have someone you trust who can sensitivity and considerately give you the right kind of nudges and questions to tell the story even more effectively. Which is what editing really should be - not just cutting stuff and moving commas around.
100%!
Love this post, Heather, and your recognition of the necessity of having a good editor, even when it's painful: - 'I needed someone to cut me loose from this sentence, so thank you'.
Thank you!
Oh, your current editing experience sounds wonderful. Enjoy. (Side note, I was once walking down the street and had an orgasm 'out of nowhere', which was indeed quite unsettling haha)
Oh my god, incredible.
I wonder if so much of writing is creating an illusion that what you’re saying is almost one continuous thought of your own, that editing is almost a window into how that isn’t really true?
I know I’ve had that experience of having to say “really another person has developed my voice here” when someone might have been taken in by that illusion— like the death of the author is more apparent when you are the writer who is being confused with them
Maybe - as someone who edits as well as writes, I feel like what the editor is doing is kind of midwifing your piece into the world.
I like to see it as: “oh, someone else GETS what I’m trying to say here” (and a good editor can perhaps facilitate making that even clearer)
Thank you Heather - I'm just about to go into my first edit on my first book, so this was very timely! I feel much more prepared now for what's ahead...thanks so much 💕🙏