Editing

[kitsune_boy389]

Do you like to edit once you've finished or as you go.
At the moment, I'm stuck with writing and would like to start re wrting the first few chapters just to refresh ideas.
I know the rule is Write then edit, but I just want to write it.

[John Jarrold]

I've worked with authors who edit each chapter as they go, and others who write a complete first draft, then edit. I think it's part of the learning process for a writer to discover what works for them individually. Like so many areas of writing and publishing, there is no single template!

One thing I often suggest with newer wrtiers is to put the book away for AT LEAST one month when it's finished, so when you do go back to edit you can look at it more objectively.

[SJAB]

Don't think there is a right or wrong way, the important thing is to get the story written.

This is what I do, it might not work for you.

For the first three of four chapters it is hard going. I am feeling my way with the characters and plot, also doing research/planning for the story. I tend to go back and fiddle with these chapters, this usually lasts until I have a large part of the research/planning done. Then I force myself to just write. No editing then until the story is finished.

Then I do what John has said, forget about it for at least a month. Then I start editing and sending it out to a couple of friends who act as readers for me (I do the same for them)

To be honest I have to force myself to stop editing. Every now and then I go back over my pervious efforts and edit them. Some work I have a number of versions of. I tend to apply what I have learned about writing since I wrote the work. Is that a good or bad thing? I don't know. Will it help me sell any of them? Again I don't know.

One thing I do know writing is a better hobby than watching Big Brother Then on the other hand, reality TV is a wonderful source of character traits.

[Dean F. Wilson]

I do some minor editting as I go, but I've found that you can often spend more time editting than writing, so I leave my main editting work 'til after I've written the work in the first place.

-D

[mistri]

I prefer to edit once the first draft is done, but if I'm having trouble with the story I'll often edit a bit to get back into it or fix the problem so that I can look ahead again.

[Stormpirate]

Originally Posted by Dean F. Wilson

I've found that you can often spend more time editting than writing -D

That's always been my biggest problem. I spend more time working on the chapters that I've already written, rather than adding in new material. I'm trying to force myself to just get the story down on paper; I can always go back and edit once it's been written.

[roddglenn]

As has already been said there's no hard and fast rule. I do both - I edit as I go along, then usually do 2 or 3 drafts after I've finished the whole work. John's suggestion for new writers to put it away for a month before going back to it is also a very good idea. I have done that in the past and it's great for giving you a fresh perspective on the work.

[Glynn James]

Each time I sit down to write I usually go back a couple of pages and edit it a little, re-reading what I wrote just to get me flowing and in the scene again. that might work for you if you need to refresh youself.

I guess it depends how much time passes between your wiritng sessions, mine is daily so I'm never that far displaced from it.

Older stuff I've written reads so much better after that period of time - as suggested. I find it very difficult to self edit, but I'm learning.

[the_faery_queen]

write than edit
tho often if something isnt working, i get stuck and have to get that bit sorted before i can go on, so i edit things that don't appear to work straight away.