To Edit or Not to Edit, That is the Question

Words matter. Writers and storytellers live and love them. And when we write, we choose words carefully because we want to craft expressive phrases and images that are, to quote Goldilocks, “just right.”

Every time that sought-after “just right” word clicks into place, it’s as satisfying as popping a non-dairy chocolate chip. A really productive day is metaphorically fattening and worth every bite.

The art of writing expresses meaning, catches mood, and matches words and image. It is also about getting rid of the passive voice and all of those inefficient extra terms and bulky word orders that make phrases really awkward and that unnecessarily increase the word count.

Editing is important.

But at what point does the editing process change from editing to perseverating?

In my work, I usually stop editing when I can read the piece all the way through without a desire to alter text. Sometimes that happens quickly, and other times, well…

When do you stop editing and call it done? How do you stop yourself from spinning around on the hamster wheel of “cut and paste” and “Control-Z” and finally, finally call it a wrap?

— Jeri

Photo Credit: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

A Periodic Table for the Narrative Arts

It was love at first sight this morning. While sipping tea and checking my social media, I happened upon an infographic and fell in love.

This love affair was stimulated because I have been thinking a great deal about storytelling and electronics. As technological innovation continues its amazing growth spurt, I have been reminded of the vinegar and baking soda experiments that my son’s home school group did every spring. Students made one clay volcano. Then on the appointed day, they inserted some baking soda deep within the volcano. Families gathered round at a distance and watched as one volunteer poured some vinegar into the top of the volcano. Everyone jumped backwards in anticipation. It wasn’t long before the chemical reaction of those two substances produced a frothy and sometimes fire hose worthy burst of fuzzy ‘lava.’

Technology. Storytelling. Chemistry. They all come together when I happened upon that infographic – The Periodic Table of Storytelling.

What a collection of ideas to tickle a brain! What a useful visual for writing tips! I am still exploring this table. I hope you get a chance to take a look and comment, right here. It has relevance to writers and narrative artist of all kinds and for all platforms. But the part that solidified my loving bond with the infographic was this: The Fourth Wall Subtropes. On the bottom right, it discusses the whole connection with audience, indicating stories must give focus to the audience, and isn’t that one thing that this blog is all about?

True, I am in love, but I also have a beef. Who doesn’t have a beef sometimes with those one loves? Peruse it, tell me what you think, and see if you can guess my beef. It will surely come up in future posts. Looking forward to your thoughts!