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IWSG #17 - Editing Hell


Happy October. I honestly am having a hard time with the fact the year is almost over. With a new month rolling in, it means it's time for another IWSG post.

Last month I lamented on the woes of marketing. An undertaking I now had to face since I'd actually managed to complete my second book. As I thought about the new month, and the post I needed to make, I wasn't sure at first what to write about. Then it hit me, shortly after my post last month I got my manuscript returned from my editor. Every since I've been in what I like to call editing hell.


Editing, like marketing, is a necessity. There's no getting around doing it if I want to put out the best possible product, which I do. But it's tedious work. I have have an issue with commas. I either don't use them enough, or use them incorrectly. A serious love/hate thing there. Then there's the problem of the over used word. It's something you don't notice until it's pointed out at you.

I have a handful that Chrys pointed out to me, but the funniest one is "just." I "just" use it all the time. They say it, they think it, they love it. And by they, I mean me, since ultimately I'm the controller of their world (or so I like to pretend). Seriously my use of "just" is bad, and every time I see that red strike-through in my doc I now laugh. I did a search, 468 times I used that word.

Photo source: http://wordwranglers.blogspot.com
The humor I try and find aside, editing is not part of the process I enjoy. There are some that do. They look forward to polishing their novels and making the "crappy" first draft words shine. I'm not a writer that gets the words down first and worry about the editing later. I'm slow. I overthink on those words. I let myself be damn near paralyzed with indecision. By the time I hit those final two little words, I'm sick of all the ones that came before.

But now I have a deadline. That means I can't procrastinate on getting the edits done. I can't look at my doc and say I'll do it tomorrow. Like people would say butt in chair to write, I have to tell myself butt in chair and edit. I limit how much I do a day to keep from going completely bonkers. Three chapters a day, that's what I do. It's a manageable amount for me to handle since I'm just as slow with the editing process as I am with the writing.

It's a pain now, but I know in the end me and my story will be better for it. I'm already picking up on things and noticing patterns. Like my characters like to start a lot of dialogue with "so." I've started removing some of those as well because I don't want everyone sounding the same. It's the little things that matter. Same with removing "was" from certain things to make my voice move from passive to active.


Editing is hell for me. I don't enjoy it, but since my name is literally on the finished product, I need it to be the best it can be. Therefore, I willingly walk through the fiery depths on a daily basis to make my book as shiny as humanly possible.

As for the book I'm editing. I did the cover reveal for it a few weeks ago.


Thanks for stopping by
~Meka

The Insecure Writer's Support Group's purpose is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Thank you to this week's co-hosts:


Comments

  1. I quite like editing. There, I've confessed. I feel better now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) Some do. Glad your confession made you feel better. LOL

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  2. Like Patsy, I confess to liking editing. No surprise there, huh? I used to use "just" a lot, too. It takes a little bit to catch it when you're writing. Hang in there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shocker! I would have never guessed. LOL ;) The "just" thing is nuts and something I never paid attention to. Now even when I'm typing other things, I pause before using the word. Thanks for the great work and answering all my questions as they come up.

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  3. I admit getting my work back from an editor is hard, but I learned new ways to improve with each experience. That part I love. Crazy me. hehehe

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was hard, but Chrys was great. Nothing that made me want to curl up in a ball and never write again. At the end of the day, she's helping my work and helping me become a much better writer. I do love learning new things and growing.

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  4. I hate it when I stare at my screen and edit the same parts over and over! I'm going to try setting a timer and getting to work for chunks of time. I've been told by numerous writers that this timed writing helps productivity. We'll see!

    Here is my October IWSG post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because I've given myself a deadline, I can't sit and stare for too long. My real issue is twitter. I have to close the browser and hide my phone so I can focus. I've not tried the timer thing, but knowing I need to do 3 chapters a day to get it done has helped give me focus and so far I've been sticking with that.

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  5. Lovely cover. Like you, I don't enjoy editing. I do like the writing part, though. I also overuse "just" and "was," and did an edit solely to weed out overused and passive words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Editing is not fun, but it must be done. Oh, yes on the "was" I've been trying to remove some of those as well. Will have to go back and do a search and find to remove more once this first round of edits is complete.

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  6. Hey Meka,

    It's cool that you're staying focused and have your eye on the prize. Having an editing schedule helps. I hope you meet your deadline. I hate editing too, but that's usually because I have A LOT to edit lol. I'm one of those first-drafts-can-be-crappy-so-I'll-edit-later writers.

    I'm looking forward to reading your book when it's published.

    Keep smiling,
    Yawatta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hiya Yawatta,

      I have to. I've put a date out in the universe so I must stick with it. I think I'm on track to get finished on time. I've reached the halfway point, so all good. LOL you'll get through the edits and they'll be great!

      Big announcement coming on that so stay tuned.

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  7. OH "just" is one of my favorite overused words. And "that," "was," and "even." Happy editing. It'll be worth it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahaha I'm not alone! I'd made a tweet about it last week I think and boy did it get a response. I have a few others that are over used, but "just" cracked me up when I started seeing "just" how much I used it. It was everywhere!

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  8. I'm similar in that I'm slow and also overthink those words.
    Oh well, a toast to us snails...

    Good luck with the editing, Meka!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Slow and steady wins the race. I'm attempting NaNo next month so will have to pick up speed with the writing at least.

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  9. I enjoy editing. Especially if I have feedback from others so I know where to focus my efforts. I'm with you on commas. Every time I think I have them figured out, my editor moves or adds or deletes them.

    Good luck with the editing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeah I can't edit on my own. I'm bad, but I don't print out and read over things myself. My editing is done based off feedback from my CPs and now I'm working on extensive edits from my editor.

      Commas, don't think I'll ever get a handle on them.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  10. Editing is taxing, but wow, does it feel good when it's done. I use 'just' and 'only' too much, I think. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is taxing and I finally got through first round! It felt just as good *almost* as when I finished first draft. Now I'm really mindful of "just"

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  11. Another one for the "just" club. I overuse that word too much as well. I'm forever taking it out of my writing. Only is another favourite.

    Editing is hell for me too. I hate it. Good luck with yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad I'm not alone in that word. I do find myself catching some, but I'm sure it'll continue to sneak in. That is another one I need to watch out for.

      I'm still trying to get through edits. First round is complete now on to the next.

      thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  12. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. hire an editor,

    ReplyDelete

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