Saturday 6 September 2008

Editing and the wannerbie writer

No sooner has a writer put the finishing touch to their work, the pregnancy period over, the birth a spectacle of awe, than the whole euphoria starts slipping away.

They must now strive to lift it to a higher level. The editing must start, but as a wannerbie, most writers’ potential is obscured by awe of the process of writing. They’re overwhelmed by their own creation.

The manuscript they’ve produced, seems an exquisite mix of thought and disclosure. Afraid of damaging this splendid prose, the wannerbie nudges at words and twiddles with punctuation, without considering changing a single expression – which is why they remain, unpublished.

With experience, comes an understanding of their deficiency. The wannerbie gradually becomes aware that their work falls short of perfection. They realize writing is not simply the process of organizing fine words onto paper, but the practice of raising ideas to an interesting and readable level.

This is the bottom line of all artists’ dreams, the camouflaging of their muse. Simplicity is the key to success. The age of capricious words is over; flowery shit is out. Be down to earth, talk in simple terms and you just might get on the right track.

Successful writers dump restrictive ideas of editing, they apply themselves to cutting.

The very enchantment of successful books comes about because of an attempt to rise towards a higher point. No good writer is ever satisfied. This struggle breathes life into their work.

Cut, cut, and cut again – and you might just make it.

My next post, the opening.

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