For nearly six years, each week I’ve posted my best teaching on writing and editing for motivation and practical help. I’ve taken a break or two, but the archive of several hundred posts prove it’s a priority for me–and it’s largely because I need to keep the wind in my sails and the breeze at my back. I write to myself to remind myself of
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“Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.” – Rita Mae Brown Writing is editing. You know that. You accept that. But do you love it? I’m serious. It’s easy to love writing, even when you don’t. But editing? Who loves that? And yet, if you plan to continue your career as a writer, it may be time to learn. When people ask me about
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I know it’ll come as a shock to some of you, but as much as the writing process is about staying in the work until you’ve said everything you need to say, the editing process is all about staying in the posture of listening. Once again, I’m stealing advice from Donald M. Murray’s excellent essay on the practice and
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It’s true now as it’s been true so often before. I have to back up. I’m trying too hard. How do I let go, not try so hard? Do I have to give up? Walk away? Maybe come back later when I’m not so focused on the result and can remember to enjoy the process. I can get so results-oriented,
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Whenever I work with new authors, they’re eager and excited. And almost always they want to focus on how they did—whether the structure they used works and how well it “flows.” But what I find almost 100% of the time is that first, they need help hearing what they said. And without exception, it’s surprising to them to realize what
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