Editing is hard. It’s even harder when you don’t know how to edit or what to look for when editing.
It’s especially even harder still when you’re editing someone else’s work. And when you believe that someone is a better writer than you? Well, how can you edit their work confidently?
I’ve talked about editing all month long with various tips and tricks and advice on editing. This post isn’t going to be like that. Instead, it’s going to be more like a “pep talk,” if you will.
Yesterday I talked about why I think it’s important for writers to be part of some sort of writing or critique group. I’ve had my group for over two years now. People have come and gone in the group, but it’s still going strong and I hope to have my group for many, many years.
Yet, each month I take a look at all the chapters I have to read through. I typically read the work as a reader and then I go back and read it again as a writer. It helps me get a feel for the chapter. It also helps me focus on editing rather than just reading.
This is because I believe all my group members are better writers than me.
This could be for a number of reasons:
- As a writer, I naturally suffer from self-doubt so I believe everyone is a better writer than me
- I’m the youngest, so in terms of “experience” in writing, everyone has more than me
- They may actually be better writers than me
I like to think that no writer is better than another since we all have our own writing styles and people are going to either love, like, hate, or think your writing is just okay. Everyone has different tastes.
Still, when you’re in a group with other writers, you can’t help but think they’re all better than you.
When I read their work, I read through it a few times. I find myself getting immersed in the story, getting wrapped up in the plot and characters. Before I know it, the chapter has ended, I’m eager to read more, yet I haven’t made a single mark on the page.
How can I edit something that’s so good? How can I make corrections when there are none?
Typically, there are mistakes. There are parts of the chapters that could use some help. But I have a hard time seeing them.
It isn’t until we actually meet that the host asks, “What could be improved with this chapter?” I typically wait for someone else to speak first and bounce off from what they say. I wait for someone to say, “I didn’t like this,” and then I can think about myself. Sometimes I agree, but sometimes I can disagree and form my own opinion as to why.
But why can’t I look at it that way when I’m reading the story myself?
I don’t know.
Editing is a learning curve and I definitely find it harder to critique someone else than your own work. Still, you live and learn.
With each new piece I get, I think back to the previous meeting and look for what we discussed they could improve on and see if they did improve on the next one. I’m slowly figuring it out.
It’s hard to look past the feeling that all the other writers in the room are “better” than you. You just have to remember you’re all there to learn. Everyone has their own writing style and unique voice. You’re all writing different stories and possibly different genres. Someone may have been writing longer than you have, but you’re all in the same boat.
Have you ever got the feeling that everyone else is a better writer than you? How do you deal with it? Let me know in the comments below!
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