Comments on: Fix-It Friday

By: Kim Reynolds

Kim Reynolds — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:06:32 +0000

I actually have revised this way for a few years. I do it just slightly different though. I print out the piece or chapter, but then I start revising at the top of the document, as if it was a fresh draft. I push the text down by at least a page so I can’t see it on the screen. This way, if there is a paragraph or two that I’m happy with I can scroll down, cut and paste it, and save some time (I’m a slow typist).

By: Shari

Shari — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:19:48 +0000

I know, me too!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:20:34 +0000

OOOhhh….I think I might have to try this one.

By: Shari

Shari — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:30:01 +0000

The idea of forcing your brain into create mode rather than correct mode makes total sense to me, but for sure I can relate to your hesitancy to start with a blank screen — good idea to try it when revising a chunk of the ms!

By: Shari

Shari — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:27:23 +0000

Starting with a blank screen would probably freak me out just a little, but I can see the wisdom in it! I think I’ll try it next time.

Thanks for dropping by my blog, Martha.

By: Carol Garvin

Carol Garvin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:24:20 +0000

“It’s too easy to get hung up on the way it was rather than feel free to make it what it needs to be.”

That makes sense, too. Sometimes I find myself rearranging the same words instead of finding a better way to express an idea. I’m not sure I have the fortitude to start over with a totally blank slate, although maybe it would work well for me when re-writing isolated portions of the ms.

By: Martha Flynn

Martha Flynn — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:01:51 +0000

Wow! That’s really dedicated – I clearly have a ways to go in my technique. Thanks for sharing!