Thirty-Nine Ways
I'm halfway through a text book on writing and editing. It's not actually a text book but it reads like one. 'Getting the Words Right' is not an easy read with many pauses for examples and reference to work that needs correcting. The author shows poor writing and then a revised version of the same thought. I'm enjoying the book but it's a chore much like my previous book which included many psychological writing exercises.
At the beginning I was pleased to read examples of good writing processes that very much resemble my technique. I had several pleasing, "I already do that." and "That's my style.", thoughts as Mr. Cheney explained how best to lay thoughts on paper, allow them to simmer and return later to revise and perfect them. As I moved on to subsequent chapters I found an equal number of cases where my writing was held out as a poor example. There were some 'ouches' as the author used samples that reminded me of my verbosity and unwillingness to trim ideas I held dear.
There's no doubt my number one problem is my inability to scrap words, sentences or entire paragraphs that do not enhance the overall work. Theodore Rees Cheney, an author and editor, explains the struggle writers have with tossing away ideas they see as their creation. A writer has difficulty deleting paragraphs the way a painter would cringe at the thought of erasing a portion of his canvass. There's a sense of ownership and if we can justify keeping a less-than-effective portion of our writing intact, because we know why we put it there, an author will resist an editor's suggestions. People cling to their ideas.
I loved his suggestion that we remove the questionable sections and file them away as a means of easing our pain and preserving the work. You don't have to scrap the entire train-of-thought. You might find a use for those words some other day. I used this technique when writing the Obama and Monster blogs posts. I have enough stored away to start a future post if I get the political itch again. If not, it will be easier to delete the words not having use for them.
I also like Cheney's explanation of why writing, simmering and returning to the work later is affective. In the initial creative process the ideas flow readily, we choose the words that pop into our heads in an instant and the paper is filled with the inspiration of a writer. When we return, hopefully days later, we read our work with the perspective of the reader or editor. Any weakness in the work stands out allowing us opportunity to revise long before the eyes of the world are set upon our work. Having already developed this habit I don't require modification but what has changed is what I'm looking for when I read my own words.
In the past my revisions had more to do with content and the expression of my ideas. I'm now looking for structure, unity, coherence, fluidity and most important for me.......words to trim from my loquacious expression. I hope this shows up in future blog posts. The good news is, I'm learning what portions of my work are healthy and what areas require polishing or a complete overhaul. Since this book is written from the perspective of an editor I may go back and revise some of my older blog entries using lessons learned in '39 Ways'. I have no intention of posting the revised work. My old writing is just a resource for internal critique and editing. It's already 'out there'......in more ways than one.
There's more to read, more to write and much to learn.