To Edit or Not to Edit

I’m in the process of writing a novel and the urge to edit is sometimes overwhelming. I’m talking everything from correcting typos to going back and rewriting scenes to add in visuals (I tend to write action in a vacuum).

To edit or not while you are writing your first draft is a well-worn topic. Many writers struggle with their desire to edit while writing. The most common advice is an emphatic DON’T! And I can certainly understand why. First, and I can attest to this personally, you begin to feel like you are standing still. Really, if all you’re doing is correcting typos and grammar, then yes, you’re in stasis. Second, you stand a better chance of giving up on your book because you get tired of doing all the editing and you just aren’t writing. I’m sure there are other valid reasons, but those are the ones that stand out to me.

Sun Rising over Choppy Seas

Recently, I was feeling like I was in a state of limbo. I would read an article on character development and decide I needed to beef up my MC or antagonist. Then I would see an article on scene building or plot structure and, well, I’m sure you get the picture.  Frustration was setting in fast!  I decided to post my dilemma to a writing group I’m in on Facebook. I got a lot of helpful responses and some very good ideas to help me get over this latest stumbling block!

More than answers to my issue, I realized that the answer to this quandary, to edit or not to edit, is different for everyone.  Writing is a subjective and personal activity.  So whether you choose to edit, not to edit, or a combination depending on circumstances, the ultimate goal is to write a great book, right? The road is, ultimately,  yours to choose.  Happy writing!

The Art of Character Arcs

I’ve been writing for a long time, but I’m more adept at writing fact, not fiction. So, writing a novel is particularly challenging for me. I have been working on my antagonist and I find him a little too likeable. And my protagonist leaves me flat. So what am I to do? Well I start reading.

I came across this article and decided to share it on my blog. If you’re having issues creating great characters, give it a read. Thank you, Kristen Kieffer, for sharing your knowledge.

Crafting Strong Character Arcs For Your Novel
http://www.well-storied.com/blog/craft-strong-character-arcs

What Comes Next?

I’ve been reading a book called Afterlife, by Marcus Sakey, that has me asking those familiar questions about just that, the afterlife. Is there such a thing? We can’t know until we get there (or not), but it’s fun to think about what an afterlife could be like. I’m talking fiction here, not theology.

Aside from all the religious and theological rhetoric, Sakey has turned what many Christians would consider the mundane purgatory into an echo of the lives the dead once lived. They remain human, but not all of them retain the same ideals and moral code. Some change when they see and understand death. This makes for an interesting story when youbegi to see the pitfalls of “living” in this particular locale. I am only about half-way through the book, but it had stirred up some thoughts on what comes after life in this world.

I often wonder about these little dilemmas because of the theme of my own novel in progress. Where does mankind go from here? Do we die and reincarnate? If so, where? Here or in another reality? Do we evolve as humans into another existence? I’m just beginning a compendium of poems and stories that will deal with these questions. Again, in terms of fiction, not theology.

I’ll post the links here in my blog as I write them and find a good resource for posting. My mind is bubbling with ideas. But I also have a novel to finish. Must keep the writing flowing.

#amwriting again 👍😎🌴