Editing is Painful

especially when u have gozze (sp?) in your mouth because you just got all four wisdom teeth out today. Nevertheless editing waits for no man it must be done. still, it hurts to see all those crossed out paragraphs and circled words. So how do you deal with the pain of having to edit? What do you tell yourselves? here's what I suggest.

*give yourself some time (the longer the better) before starting to edit once you've finished your first draft. This will create space between you and "your baby" so you can see more clearly.

* Once you've done that, especially if it is your first time seriously editing a novel, do some research so you know what to look for and what editors and agents will be looking for when/if you pitch it to them. I know it's hard to wait but space is crucial.

*get someone else (beta readers, a trusted writer pall) to read it and make suggestions. No matter how much time you give your writing before you edit you will still be very close to it. After all, you've spent a long time writing it, dedicated hours of your life. That's competely normal. Which is why you need someone with a less biast eye who can honestly look at your work and tell you what's good about it and what stinks. It hurts, but it'll be better in the end and you'll thank yourself.

*give editing the time it deserves. Don't be fooled. Editing is just as important as the writing itself. It can be the difference between another rejection or finally becoming published.

Editing can be hard, make sure you have a strong suport team going into it who will be there to support you when you need it and also give you the strengh to be ruthless in ripping you novel to shreds and piecing it back together again. Good Luck.