Revision is Mandatory

Ep 91: Your Writing Needs Revision
 (but don't be afraid) - Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach:

I love this woman's podcasts. She is always so upbeat and encouraging. I always take something away with me after listening to her. I encourage you to check her page and podcasts out.

I'm passing this particular one along to you because it is so important. Everyone needs to edit their work. I don't care how good you think you are, you aren't. We all make mistakes and even if you read your work 4 or 5 times, you won't catch all your mistakes. Someone else will find them.

I've done editing for folks here and there for years. In college I did a lot of it for friends. I've done it for friends who write in more recent years. I love doing it but I'm never surprised if I find dozens of problems. I expect it. Writers aren't perfect at writing. 

I always tell people that if you don't like my suggestions, you don't have to take them. Once I edited a short piece for someone and they didn't say they didn't like my suggestions; they simply didn't do a revision. Later I saw a post somewhere by that same person and there were numerous errors. They hadn't edited that either but this was on the web for thousands of folks to see. 

Better to have a bruised ego than to be known as a sloppy writer. Well, that's my motto. To me it is disrespectful to the reader not to make sure that my work is the best I can make it. It still won't be perfect but my efforts will show. 

You know that meme going around that says "if yuo cna red ths"? It looks like a mess but after a second, you have no trouble reading it. Why? Our brains are wired in such a way that when we read something our brains will auto-correct.With writing such as this post, no matter how many times I read it I can still miss something.  Recently, my son said, "Mom, you need to edit your posts better." 

Ouch. 

I always miss something so he's probably right. He isn't a writer but he reads my blogs. He's offered to edit them for me. I'm thinking about it. 

Don't take editing suggestions as an insult. You don't have to agree with them. You don't even have to take their advice. Just remember the person editing is trying to help you become the best writer. Sometimes they may be wrong but it is up to the writer to be sure of that and be able to revise appropriately.

So, get the red pencil out and start wielding it with confidence. Let someone else edit for you, loan them your red pencil.  

Breaking News!

My writing group began an anthology in 2015. Things happened. Life interfered. BUT.... if the stars align correctly, in two to three weeks the River City Writers will present The Crossroads Anthology, a collection of short stories and poetry by the River City Writers group.

I can say with all confidence that those involved with this project have worked very hard to bring it about and as one of the editors, I can promise you that there is some good reading between the covers. I'm so proud of them!

I'll post more information as it becomes available with a link where you can get a copy of the book. 

World Writer's Day

Originally I posted this yesterday and realized I had the date wrong! So, I've corrected it.

What are you doing on this World Writer's Day? Are you writing? Thinking about it? Or are you chucking the whole thing and going to the Bahamas?

I'd like the Bahamas.

I'm on my 4th cold of the last 6 months and coughing my lungs up. I do think this cold is less harsh than the previous ones but it could get worse.

As a result of my illness these last several months, I've written no more than 1500 words and most of that was since January. January was a good month. I had some Acyclovir and the bug cleared out in days. They won't give it to me again so I'm sick again. I so miss my old doctor.

I've been really busy with so many doctor's appointments that I can't get organized. And my sleep apnea mask is giving me problems so that my sleep is disrupted. I've been so tired for several weeks now that I can't think well. I was nervous about driving yesterday because I was so sleepy I was concerned I'd have an accident. I didn't but it was difficult to deal with the fatigue.

So, that's my list of excuses this week. I do hope you'll take some time to feed your muse today and write 300 words. I plan on doing just that.

Trip to the Lab

Sleepless in the Car