Don’t get out the red pens until you have something to edit. Start off with some freewriting to ease up the writing process.
By SHelley Widhalm
Fast writing lets the words flow without worry and the internal editor.
With fast or freewriting, the idea is to not think about or plan your writing and instead to sink into your imagination. Express whatever is there in you, and then figure it out later. Realize, though, once there is written content, the words and language are containers for thoughts but aren’t always exact.
In other words, you can go back and revise. And revise again.
Simplicity or Complexity
Before revision can happen, you either start with simplicity or complexity.
With simplicity, one approach is speedwriting, writing as fast as you can, knowing the goal is to write as many words as possible within a certain timeframe. You write what comes to mind, getting rid of the internal editor, saving the planning and organizing of the content and the plotting of the story for a later step.
Or, you might start with complexity. You turn difficult, hard-to-grasp thoughts into lucid form, and then fit them into language that makes sense. Yo can make the writing clear and concise and expressive of what you intended through the revision process.
When I’m revising, I like to do a first read-through for errors in spelling and grammar, words that are missing or misused, and sentence structure that is awkward or clumsy. I also think of the overall structure of the content or story, usually in the second edit. I probably should reverse the process, but I can’t get past the little errors before getting to the big picture.
Here’s a sample editing checklist:
- Check for sentences that don’t make sense.
- Omit needless words to get to the essential meaning or intention.
- Notice consistency in verb tense.
- Replace adjectives and adverbs with nouns and verbs.
- Vary the sentence structure.
- Identify areas where transitions are needed.
- Avoid repetition of words, facts and details.
For my fiction writing, I try to spot any scene issues, like partial scenes, or scenes that are drawn out or are lacking detail. I ask if the overall story makes sense. Is there enough at stake in the plot? Are there any boring parts or parts that are over-explained? Are the characters well-developed and seem like real people, or are they flat with predictable traits?
Here are a few things to look for during additional edits:
- Use the active voice whenever you can.
- Get rid of clichés, unless used for a specific purpose or as a character trait.
- Write visually and make sure some or all of the senses are used, including sight, sound, touch, hearing and taste.
- Tighten the dialogue, cutting unnecessary conversation fillers like, “How are you doing?” and areas where conversation seems to repeat.
And most importantly, make sure you’re showing and only telling when necessary.