Thoughts on editing

Hello, and Happy New Year!!! I hope you'll have a wonderful 2023!

As I am now entering another year as a self-published author, I've been thinking about how much I've changed as a writer... and as it's time to start another cycle of editing, I've been especially focused on that element of it. So, with that in mind, I thought I'd share a few random thoughts on how much editing has changed for me since that first edit on The Shoreline of Memory. 

1. It's so much easier, in more ways than one. 

I have learned so much about my writing style and personality, which has been huge in helping the edit come out cleanly. Much more important than that, however, is learning about my own weaknesses in writing, and as I go, I've even learned to correct some of them as I write.  

2. It's not so daunting.

I have no shame in admitting that editing used to scare the heck of me. Seriously, the mere thought of editing was almost comparable to looking at a mountain and knowing I had to climb it. Now, as of writing this post, I'm about five days from starting my first edit, and I just can't wait. 

3. It's not so painful anymore. 

"Here's the book you just spent 18 months writing, tear it apart." That's how I felt when I faced my first edit... and my second, and my third... Any notes or criticisms, (constructive or otherwise) were blades to my heart, and I felt terribly defensive, refusing to listen, even when it was my own. Now? I truly know that it's for the best and not meant as a personal attack. It may be a lot of work, but the reward is more than worth the sweat. 

Writing isn't particularly easy, and sometimes quite painful, and in all honesty, editing can be a bit of a drag sometimes. But I can honestly say it does get a little easier with practice. Understanding what to do really does help the process, who knew? 😉

Have a great day, and keep writing!