by Edie Melson
Being good at something is tough.
It takes effort—and time—lots and lots of time. It’s the
time part that trips most of us up. At least it does me. We tend to stop too
soon. We get to the probably-good-enough
stage and quit.
It’s tempting to slack off, because the air is thin at that
point. What I mean is that the majority of our competition has disappeared, and
it’s easy to think we’ve done enough.
But that is the point when we have the
ability to reach our full potential.
I’m not going to give you a list of things to do or not to
do. I’m going to stop right here and ask you to finish this post by leaving a
comment. Share how you keep from stopping too soon, or even how you know what
too soon looks like.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLE
Love this insight, Edie. As a journalist turned novelist, I'm trained to write tight. It took me a while to realize that good editing was sometimes causing me to stop too soon. I'd written a good scene, said what needed to be said -- and it was time to move on. But as I worked to layer in deeper emotion, I realized that by "moving on," I was sometimes avoiding doing the harder work. -- the needed work --- of learning to writing stronger character emotion. So I am learning to write a scene and then go back and ask: Did I end this too soon? Am I depriving my reader of a more satisfying experience because I left something out?
ReplyDeleteBeth, this is exactly what I was getting at. Great insight, thank you so much! Blessings, E
DeleteI have the exact same problem, Beth. Began my career as a journalist, then worked in radio, both of which teach you to write tight. In radio, I had to tell a story in less than 180 words, sometimes less than 30-45. So when I finished the first draft of my novel, I went back and did the same thing: asked myself what I was leaving out in my effort to keep things moving.
DeleteBut when it comes to editing, I have the opposite problem. I tweak and cut and nitpick the manuscript obsessively, until I finally have to force myself to let it go. I'm so OCD about wanting it to be perfect, that I cling to the work too long.
I agree with Beth! I work hard to get my manuscript down, but the editing is harder still. Cutting the "telling" and adding the "showing". Making sure the setting is clear. Describing the senses. Having my characters act and react according to their personalities. Thankfully, my critique group keeps me going, cheering me on when I want to quit! :)
ReplyDeleteMary, so true! Blessings, E
DeleteI keep diving out there into the "writing" world and making mistakes, coming up for air, and going under again. At the rate I'm going, I believe I can put together a nice work of non-fiction on what not to do as a writer... :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, we all feel like that! Blessings, E
DeleteAs a novice writer--not to sidetrack you--that might be a good book for me to read! Maureen Hall Puccini
DeleteMaureen, a question is never a sidetrack! I did a post on recommended books a while back. Here's the link: http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2014/03/dollars-sense-for-writers-guidelines-on.html I hope this helps! Blessings, E
DeleteNot letting life (and family!) interfere is one of my problems. Knowing how to motivate myself into starting again and sticking to it are more. Need a good, swift kick to the rear right now! :)
ReplyDeleteBren, I'm aiming a kick in your direction! Blessings, E
DeleteHaving a critique buddy to spur me on really helps! Sometimes it is just focusing in on one thing at a time. Being diligent each day to write something means at the end of the week I have accomplished much.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you're so right. Small bits add up fast! Blessings, E
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