First Write. Then Edit.
“The conscious mind is the editor, and the subconscious mind is the writer.” — Steve Martin
Writers write.
Thinking about writing or thinking about becoming a writer is not writing.
To be a writer — even to learn to write — you must write.
“Focus on the writing. It’s the only thing you have true control over.” — JA Konrath
Writing and editing are two separate activities.
Writing is putting down thoughts into words or words into thoughts.
It’s plowing the land.
It’s digging up the topsoil of your thinking.
It’s shoveling the rich earth of your mind — and putting down the words, sentences, thoughts, paragraphs, conjectures.
It’s allowing your subconscious mind to work without interference from your editing mind.
It’s sloppy. It’s imperfect. And it sucks — at first.
It’s writing.
Expecting it to be good, polished, or perfect when you begin to write, stifles your writing.
As Julia Cameron wrote in her book, The Right to Write, (which saved my writing soul), you must be willing to write badly to get words written.
“Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, your readers might like it.”
— William Randolph Hearst
Then, you edit…
After you’ve put your thoughts into words, put your work aside for a while.
Come back to it wearing your editor’s hat.
Now, you’re looking at your raw writing as an editor.
Sometimes, what you thought was horrible may surprise you and be good.
But your first draft, will probably need some editing, rewriting, tweaking, teasing, and polishing.
That’s the job for you, the editor.
“The conscious mind is the editor, and the subconscious mind is the writer.” — Steve Martin
A note about perfectionism…
Writing will not work for you if you begin as a perfectionist.
Stifle your impulses for self-criticism and perfectionism.
Like growing fresh flowers, that initial writing is only the beginning of growth.
Some plants will be worthy of care and cultivation.
Some won’t make it.
“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough — that we should try again.” — Julia Cameron
Know what you’re writing about.
Meanwhile, remember that writing is always about something, especially something that’s important enough for you to write about.
Yes, you may need to research (unless you are already an expert. But even then, you must stay on top of new information).
Nevertheless, you write what you know or suspect or feel or think.
You may be wrong, or you may be right.
That is a matter for the facts of reality to determine.
Bottom line, you write.
Then you edit.
That’s it.
“A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.” — Joyce Meyer
Three resources to help you write better, publish more, and monetize your written work:
21 Reasons to Write and 11 Reasons Not to Write
Why Perfectionism Sucks and What to do about it!
If you want to monetize your written work, think like an entrepreneur!
