To edit or not to....

[Sunitha]

This is something that I have come across both personally and through other friends. What does one do when one has a big piece of writing to do? Say a novel or a screenplay or an article or even a Ph D thesis. Does one just ramble on till the end and then start with the editing (Both plot wise and grammar\structure wise)? Or stop midway, edit and then continue? Do you think the flow of thoughts will be disrupted if one stops to edit? Is it better to meticulously edit and move on? Or is it to each his\her way!

[Swati]

Sunitha : This is the exact same concern I had floated in a thread quite some time back,except that I had mentioned my thoughts as an editing tip,which automatically establishes my stand!Not for a moment intending to appear lazy by pasting a link in response to your thread,I still would HAVE to do that, as I would actually have the same thing to say! : http://chillibreeze.in/forums/editin...out-first.html

[shinespear]

Hi, Do you need a few tips on editing? You may respond to this thread. I shall be pleased to provide.

Thx/shinespear.

[Aditi]

@shinespear, please go ahead and post editing tips, would love to learn from experienced writers like you.

[shinespear]

Hi,

A thesis will need stage wise editing. Here, you do not have a plot; each stage is important before you go to the next stage. As for a story, one may proceed with the plot, lest you may get your plot derailed. How ever, light editing can be undertaken without affecting the flow of thoughts.

Thx/shinespear

[Shubha Khandekar]

When you edit simultaneously with writing, a few paragraphs at a time, and a final look when the chapter is done, you can clearly identify the gaps and holes that need to be filled in. This not only refines your subsequent writing but also shows you new hitherto unseen angles that can enhance the depth and the range of your writing. I have pointed this out to writers who asked me to review their first drafts, written at one go, without looking back. It was appreciated.

[shinespear]

Hi all,

There is no hard and fast rule on this. After all, it is the man (or woman) and not the method that solves the problem. If you are comfortable with editing along, it's fine. If you are not comfortable with, give a break to the editing and stick to your writing. Don't bother about what the other person is comfortable with. Nobody has framed any law on this!

tecnovell

[Swati]

shinespear-its so heartening to see you volunteer and throw light on this very subjective and very grey area of editing.I use the words "subjective" and "grey" because I find the very basic premise of editing,that of revising/amending/modifying/deleting et al,to be something that cant be really dictated by rules or norms really.Sometimes as a reader,there are so many words/expressions I personally want to change/revise yet,I am sure my inputs as editor may not be the be-all and end-all actually,as someone else might have objections to my editing.

Also,since editing follows from writing,i.e a previously written text,there needs to be a fine line between correcting and re-writing.You dont want to mess with the original to the extent that it ceases being the writer's work and becomes the editor's in stead,isnt it?Sometimes there will be these clients who would want you to edit just a section of the main work,to check whether you are fit for the project,which also I find so baseless,since I firmly believe in editing within the context and what might seem correct in that context,might seem incorrect in just a section.For instance,the deliberate wrong usage of a word/spelling,might be the writer's literary liberty to portray a characterial flaw,which,as editor you itch to rectify in just that section since the whole work isnt given to you.

These are just a few concerns I had along with the more obvious ones like,editing tools,viz,what are the resources a budding editor needs to be aware of when beginning editing-any particular editing software or is the editing software inbuilt in the MS 2007 Word good and things like that.

I think many here will join me in wanting to know such things that can help them become good editors for projects or for that matter,their own writing!!Care to share?This space is the best for that and I,for one,will be indebted to you!!