When it comes to writing, details are everything. A short story, for example, shouldn't be edited just once . . . or twice . . . or even ten times. The funky thing about creating a short story from the depths of your mind is that it has you thinking it's a friggin' masterpiece. I've felt a bit godly when I wrapped up a particularly-great story.
But when you write something straight through, your creative side's dominating . . . not necessarily the part of you that edits. And this is for the best, when it comes to your first draft. Write that sweet piece and then set it aside and move on to the next story. When you get a chance, look over that first "masterpiece" and you'll see its imperfections. Don't pitch it. Just make it better, whether it's a simple polish or a flatout rewrite.
Once you're done with the edit, save it and move on to another piece. Pick it up later and (I'll betcha' good money) you'll find some more flaws and/or ways to make it better. It's natural. It's for the best. And if you love your works, you'll spend countless hours making them better. If you submit a crappy piece, it'll be treated like a crappy piece.
Get an editor to look over your pieces, someone with experience who charges by the page (vs. the hour). If you can't afford one, find someone nitpicky to help you out. And if you're friendless and penniless, self-edit away. But realize that outside perspectives have - at least, in my experience - made a difference in the final product.
So write a bunch of stories and then edit them multiple times. And when the improvements stop flowing, you've made your stories as good as they can be. Then you try to publish them.
No comments:
Post a Comment