On Editing
The Art of Revision: Struggling to Whittle Perfection from the Rough Block
Editing is a craft that often feels like trying to carve a delicate sculpture from a rough-hewn block of wood. The challenge lies in shaving away the excess without losing the essence, the intricate details envisioned in the initial draft. As writers, we fear the knife might slip, and with it, the soul of our story might be lost forever. This fear is poignantly illustrated in the countless revisions that accompany our writing journey, or certainly mine, at the very least.
The Fear of Losing Detail
When I write, I envision a vibrant, detailed world that I want to convey to my readers. Each sentence is carefully crafted to draw them into the scene, to feel the weight of the darkness, the chill of the fog, and the terror of the unknown. But the first draft is just the beginning. The real work begins with the edits.
As it sits now (perhaps it will change in edits :P), what you see above is the opening scene from my debut novel, My Favorite Fear. As you can see from the version control image, my initial drafts are often riddled with clumsy phrases and redundant descriptions. The passage in question, for instance, was once a jumble of mixed metaphors and overwrought language. Editing, for me, is like sculpting: removing the unnecessary to reveal the form hidden within. Each change is a calculated risk, balancing the need to refine against the fear of over-carving.
The Many Layers of Revision
The image of my edits reveals the layers of revision that a single passage can go through. Initially, the scene was overly complex, with sentences that meandered and descriptions that suffocated the narrative. Through each revision, I stripped away the extraneous elements, honing in on the core of the scene:
1. Simplification: The original sentences were too dense, packed with adjectives and adverbs that slowed the pace. I worked to simplify the language, making the scene more immediate and visceral.
2. Clarification: Ambiguous phrases and confusing metaphors were clarified. The goal was to ensure that each word served a purpose and contributed to the reader’s understanding and immersion.
3. Intensification: Once the language was clear, I focused on intensifying the emotional impact. This meant choosing stronger verbs, creating more vivid imagery, and ensuring that the fear and tension were palpable.
The Emotional Toll
This process is not without its emotional toll. Every change feels like a gamble. Will this alteration enhance the scene or strip it of its power? Will the story still resonate as deeply as it did in my mind? These questions haunt every keystroke, making the act of editing both an art and a battle.
The fear of losing the original detail can be paralyzing. It’s a delicate balance—cut too much, and the story loses its essence; cut too little, and it remains bogged down. The revision process, as seen in the image, is a testament to this struggle. Each red line represents a moment of doubt, each blue correction a decision made in the hope of improving the narrative.
Embracing the Process
Despite the challenges, I’ve come to embrace the editing process as an integral part of writing. It’s where the magic truly happens, where the raw material of the first draft is refined into something that can move and captivate readers. The fear of breaking the story is always present, but so is the thrill of discovery, of seeing the final form emerge from the rough block.
In the end, editing is about trust. Trusting the process, trusting your instincts, and trusting that each cut, each change, is a step toward a more perfect realization of your vision. The journey from first draft to final product is fraught with challenges, but it’s also immensely rewarding. And as the version control image shows, it’s a journey marked by constant learning and growth.
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