tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post4571579386088390396..comments2024-03-20T08:27:29.290+11:00Comments on .W.I.P. It: On the Joy of EditingLynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-43944737378124802542011-10-24T09:01:41.736+11:002011-10-24T09:01:41.736+11:00Kelworth, yes, do, it's so worth it--in terms ...Kelworth, yes, do, it's so worth it--in terms of editing your manuscript, of course ;)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-23781066241868649032011-10-24T00:18:49.049+11:002011-10-24T00:18:49.049+11:00Yeah, I still have trouble burning those parts of ...Yeah, I still have trouble burning those parts of my stories that don't work. Maybe I need to get in touch with my inner pyromaniac!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-74218007520438205452011-10-20T08:12:07.387+11:002011-10-20T08:12:07.387+11:00Cynthia, that's a different way of looking at ...Cynthia, that's a different way of looking at the Burning Man. I agree with it being healthy not getting too attached to a thing.<br /><br />Melissa, totally makes sense. That's part of what I love about editing--that cleansing sense of accomplishment, as you put it.<br /><br />Shari, haha yes indeed.<br /><br />Maeve, that's a good thing :)<br /><br />Golden, I hope it helps.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-50619616458943138572011-10-20T06:22:51.639+11:002011-10-20T06:22:51.639+11:00Wow. In one way it's a bit sad that they burn ...Wow. In one way it's a bit sad that they burn all those amazing structures--but it's a good metaphor for editing. And I love the phoenix idea. :)Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-62854561941149253472011-10-20T06:22:42.703+11:002011-10-20T06:22:42.703+11:00Great Analogy! I don't mind letting go!Great Analogy! I don't mind letting go!Maeve Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-31189195746797199252011-10-20T05:12:52.691+11:002011-10-20T05:12:52.691+11:00Yes, I think they are insane for burning such beau...Yes, I think they are insane for burning such beautiful creations. We don't burn the beautiful parts of our manuscripts, do we? Just the yucky parts. Right?Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05184772057308479564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-23052961745380334202011-10-20T04:31:26.895+11:002011-10-20T04:31:26.895+11:00I have learned to let go, but it wasn't an eas...I have learned to let go, but it wasn't an easy process. I think the first time you really see the good that rises from the ashes so to speak it allows you to understand the need to be willing to burn it. It also has a psychological cleansing sense of accomplishment (if that makes sense)Melissa Sugarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16268333458796847721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-74795815259567614672011-10-20T01:37:00.751+11:002011-10-20T01:37:00.751+11:00The burning man thing is an interesting exercise i...The burning man thing is an interesting exercise in not being too attached to anything. Hard, but maybe healthy?<br /><br />As for killing the darlings in my writing. Slashing and burning isn't always easy, but I find putting the text up for sacrifice in a separate document helps. Once it is out of the manuscript and in a separate file, I get used to the darlings being gone. Later, I trash that file.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-15463943723233232692011-10-19T17:45:51.003+11:002011-10-19T17:45:51.003+11:00Medeia, you know you've grown as a writer when...Medeia, you know you've grown as a writer when it's easier to do the slash and burn.<br /><br />Stephen, I love, love, love editors. They make writers look awesome ;)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-41502600706081420382011-10-19T14:32:47.832+11:002011-10-19T14:32:47.832+11:00Burning Man is cool. I see the news clips every ye...Burning Man is cool. I see the news clips every year. If I was only young and stupid again, I'd be there front and center. <br /><br />And its not easy to slay those sacred cows. But having a good editor makes the job that much easier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-49016202050064669772011-10-19T14:13:11.421+11:002011-10-19T14:13:11.421+11:00I used to have a very hard time letting go--if I p...I used to have a very hard time letting go--if I put hard work into a piece, I wanted to keep it--but now I'm all about slashing and burning scenes to make the story stronger. <br /><br />I heard about Burning Man, and after reading this I finally know what it's about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-7048398351780254742011-10-19T09:54:15.418+11:002011-10-19T09:54:15.418+11:00Terri, yeah, that first time is a killer ;)
Sam, ...Terri, yeah, that first time is a killer ;)<br /><br />Sam, exactly right.<br /><br />Deana, the odd thing is they are made more beautiful because of their transience. <br /><br />Susan, yep, I'm not sure I could either.<br /><br />Rachna, a tighter manuscript is the best reward.<br /><br />nutschell, as much as the festival seems crazy, I'd love to see it one day.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-69593675012910423712011-10-19T04:16:41.642+11:002011-10-19T04:16:41.642+11:00that festival is crazy! I dont know if fire improv...that festival is crazy! I dont know if fire improved their structures but it certainly does provide for entertainment. As to the editing--well slashing and burning is definitely painful, but it can only make our WIP's better!<br /><br />nutschell<br />www.thewritingnut.comnutschellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10967710710805174781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-32144663006638057882011-10-19T01:10:06.258+11:002011-10-19T01:10:06.258+11:00Lynda..nowadays I am enjoying editing. I do feel b...Lynda..nowadays I am enjoying editing. I do feel bad about burning few scenes but I look at the larger picture ( a tighter manuscript) and move on.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-32525604013888395302011-10-19T00:39:42.906+11:002011-10-19T00:39:42.906+11:00Yes, I do think it's crazy to build those stru...Yes, I do think it's crazy to build those structures just to burn them - I could never do it! Cutting my manuscript is easier, though, because like you said, out of the ashes will rise a phoenix.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-49602374961939220782011-10-18T23:54:49.386+11:002011-10-18T23:54:49.386+11:00I so agree with this. I try not to get attached un...I so agree with this. I try not to get attached until after my first draft and you're right, it does help when you begin the slasher fest.<br />As for the burning thing, that really is crazy. Those things were beautiful!Deanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17958057331230037880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-84075116978591131052011-10-18T17:14:48.953+11:002011-10-18T17:14:48.953+11:00100% agree with being brutal with our work. If we ...100% agree with being brutal with our work. If we don't do it, someone else will :)Samantha Sottohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14116257082088369600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-89490289131315893682011-10-18T10:25:35.266+11:002011-10-18T10:25:35.266+11:00Every time I have to slash some good scenes it hur...Every time I have to slash some good scenes it hurts but not as much as the first time.Usually my very good critique partners tell me why and offer suggestions so that helps alot!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-72248007373502678312011-10-18T09:16:23.755+11:002011-10-18T09:16:23.755+11:00Laila, the sculptures are truly amazing. There'...Laila, the sculptures are truly amazing. There's a whole gallery of them at the link I gave. <br /><br />Jessica, that's fantastic. I hope that ease continues for you.<br /><br />Carol, hehe neither would I! ;)<br /><br />Mark, yes indeed<br /><br />E R King, hehe I will admit that's exactly what I do as well. I can't just delete it forever.<br /><br />Michael, I didn't mean to burn our manuscripts in the literal sense. I was more talking about the freedom to let parts of it go, ie, scenes that aren't working in the novel as a whole. <br /><br />Melissa, I do the same even though it's rare I'll go back and read the tossed scenes again.<br /><br />Stacy, yes, that's also a good analogy. <br /><br />Susanne, yes, as they say, 'we need to kill our darlings'.<br /><br />Melissa, I think Stacy's "cheap sheet" is the same thing--pasting scenes and ideas into a separate document so they aren't lost forever.<br /><br />Emily, It is difficult. Sometimes I'll give it some time before I can take it out. The time gives me the distance I need.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-31547940350944349872011-10-18T09:03:29.860+11:002011-10-18T09:03:29.860+11:00Sarah, good luck with your editing
Old Kitty, fre...Sarah, good luck with your editing<br /><br />Old Kitty, freeing is a great word for it.<br /><br />Anne, lol, that could get confusing. You need a third beta reader.<br /><br />Bish, editing and revision is a huge part of the job. 90% I'd say. As for your thoughts on the festival, nicely worded.<br /><br />Jennifer, that's one way of doing it. I do keep the sections I delete in my WIP purely becasue sometimes I've needed to go back.<br /><br />Leigh, lol, I hear you. ;)<br /><br />Theresa, it's a good feeling isn't it.<br /><br />Angelina, yep, that's what I do as well.<br /><br />Trisha, yes, exactly.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-25733437096578388452011-10-18T08:01:00.854+11:002011-10-18T08:01:00.854+11:00I imagine it would be incredibly difficult to let ...I imagine it would be incredibly difficult to let something go (in your manuscript) especially if you thought it was a perfect scene, or the best dialogue you've written. I suppose all you can do is trust in the editor.Emily Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173337813628626227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-77555111758011264692011-10-18T05:52:36.595+11:002011-10-18T05:52:36.595+11:00@Stacy S. Jensen: What is a "waste sheet"...@Stacy S. Jensen: What is a "waste sheet"? I save my "pieces" to another document but if there is something better, I'm all about it.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15188040527118428794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-10807081712857972722011-10-18T05:46:46.284+11:002011-10-18T05:46:46.284+11:00I couldn't imagine putting all the time and ef...I couldn't imagine putting all the time and effort into building something as amazing as the structures in the pictures, just to turn around and burn them. <br /><br />Now cutting scenes from a WIP is totally different. Writers aren't going to get it right the first time, so they expect to make changes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-61246255485689107702011-10-18T05:25:22.895+11:002011-10-18T05:25:22.895+11:00It might seem crazy, but so are Christmas decorati...It might seem crazy, but so are Christmas decorations or any other holiday celebration. Sometimes, it's fun to see your work and just enjoy. And, I think I'm a word hoarder since I learned about a "waste sheet" - where I paste in deleted scenes and ideas.Stacy S. Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09646270238659432058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-53681438413897953222011-10-18T03:35:38.514+11:002011-10-18T03:35:38.514+11:00Wow! This was a really great post! Sometimes I fin...Wow! This was a really great post! Sometimes I find it very difficult to "slash and burn" parts of my work that my little brain has so painstakingly made up but I know it has to be done for the sake of the whole. I do, however, save the original scenes just in case. So, technically, I'm only slashing, not burning! :-)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15188040527118428794noreply@blogger.com