Entry #4 - The Difference Between Writing and Editing

Hey there!

 

We’re back again with another entry. Today, let's dive into a topic that often gets overlooked in the realm of writing—the fine art of editing. As someone who finds solace in refining rather than writing from scratch, I've often pondered the reasons behind this preference. It all started with a recent assignment that required me to write using some weird prompts. I ended up roping one of my friends into helping me edit, since she is in a creative writing course herself. 

Our friendship was actually built over creative writing, or more specifically, me editing her writing.  It started out with editing fanfiction, to editing her assignments, to now editing stories that she is trying to publish into journals. Over all this time, I’ve come to appreciate how legendary her writing is, and she’s come to appreciate my help in editing. 

However, as my friend can attest to, my writing, at least the for the first few drafts, is horrendous. It’s actually quite hard to reconcile the differences between my editing skills and writing skills, and it’s something that she teases me (friendly teasing of course) about. While she did offer valuable help, it made me wonder about this curious dynamic between writing and editing.

 

First things first, let's clarify the distinction between writing and editing. Writing is the initial creative process of putting thoughts into words, crafting raw ideas into coherent narratives. It's the exhilarating rush of inspiration, the blank page beckoning to be filled with the writer's imagination. On the other hand, editing is the meticulous process of refining and polishing that rough draft into a polished gem. It's about fine-tuning language, structure, and clarity to enhance the reader's experience.

 

Now, why do some of us find editing more appealing than writing itself? Well, for starters, editing offers a sense of control and mastery over the written word. While writing can feel like navigating uncharted waters, editing provides a structured framework within which to operate. It's like sculpting a piece of marble into a masterpiece, chiseling away at imperfections until the true beauty beneath is revealed.

 

Moreover, editing allows us to distance ourselves from the initial creative process, offering a fresh perspective on our work. When we're knee-deep in writing, it's easy to become emotionally attached to our words, making it difficult to objectively assess their quality. But with editing, we can step back, analyze our writing with a critical eye, and make informed decisions about how to improve it.

 

Another reason some of us may prefer editing is the satisfaction of seeing tangible progress. Unlike writing, where the finish line can seem elusive, editing provides clear milestones to track our advancement. Whether it's fixing grammatical errors, restructuring paragraphs, or fine-tuning dialogue, each edit brings us one step closer to our vision of the finished piece.

 

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of editing is the opportunity it presents for growth and self-improvement. With each edit, we hone our writing skills, sharpen our critical thinking abilities, and gain a deeper understanding of our unique voice as writers. It's a journey of continuous learning and refinement, with no shortage of lessons to be learned along the way.

 

So, if you're like me and find editing to be more enjoyable than writing itself, don't fret—you're not alone. Embrace your passion for polishing prose, and let your keen eye for detail guide you toward literary greatness. After all, in the words of Ernest Hemingway, "The only kind of writing is rewriting."