When It Rains It Pours

My biggest issue with writing is the way, ‘when it rains it pours’ – out of me, I mean. When the ideas come, they are so clear and fresh I rush to get them down. As I write, it all feels very brilliant and remarkable. I’m always amazed at how well everything flows and knits itself together. I keep going, never looking back, until the muse retreats. (Why does it do that?)

Then comes the drying up period. I read what I’ve written with such panache and generally it’s not nearly as dazzling as I perceived, while my fingers were flying over my laptop keys. It falls short of the ebullient, intense, or brooding prose I thought I was writing. 

Huh.

Time to edit. 

The thing is this–I know the writing I intended is in there, in me, and so I strive to find that original magic that I thought I’d captured, but had not.  That’s what editing is to me.  It’s about taking what I actually have, and trying to get it to what I thought I had, when I began.  

I’ve read about authors who can get it right the first time, bringing us to tears, turning our blood to ice, or enthralling us with remarkable descriptions, without really trying. I wish I could do that, but I have to work at it.  

The thing is – I don’t mind the process of fixing things up. If you can keep positive about the fact that perfection has not yet been achieved, the editing is an opportunity to insert ideas, conversations, and descriptions that enrich the story.

Now that I’ve edited, is it amazing? Probably not yet. 

Next, I need someone else to take a look at the results. Once I’ve edited, I like to get feedback -read the piece aloud.  What works really well is to have someone read it to you. It’s funny how I can still miss the mark I was shooting for, but not realize it.  Now I ask my reader questions.  Did they understand certain points that I wanted to make.  Did they feel the way I wanted them to feel about my characters? 

When the words pour out easily, don’t leave it at that.  Don’t assume you’ve created something brilliant because it flowed effortlessly.  Look for someone with a critical eye, and listen to his or her point of view. Try some variations on what you’ve written. The resultant changes should yield a product that is much closer to your fabulous vision.

Laurie