Writerland is a newsletter from The Delacorte Review whose mission is to help writers tell the stories they need to tell. * * *Thanks for reading Writerland! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. The older I get, the more I find my work focusing on editing other people’s writing. That’s not really a complaint. Editing is something I enjoy because I know I am good at it and I learn a lot about writing from it, about what works and what doesn’t. But lately, I’m finding myself wanting to write more. I miss it. To me, writing feels a bit like falling in love. It’s scary, exciting, deeply personal and you have no idea what the outcome will be.
I subscribe to the "write drunk, edit sober" theory. Only I try to avoid the drinking. I write on the computer and edit on paper. The physical tools during editing give me distance I don't have when I'm absorbed into the screen writing. I always need weeks of time as I ruminate over every word – especially the verbs. The right one often appears in my mind when I'm doing something else.
I need a clean, organized desk, so my brain can be similarly organized. Cafe writing is fine because I am laser focused when in the groove. Also, I hate talking on the phone—texting or email allows me to reflect before I reply. :)
I subscribe to the "write drunk, edit sober" theory. Only I try to avoid the drinking. I write on the computer and edit on paper. The physical tools during editing give me distance I don't have when I'm absorbed into the screen writing. I always need weeks of time as I ruminate over every word – especially the verbs. The right one often appears in my mind when I'm doing something else.
This resonates. My writing is chronically last minute. I haven't found another way that gets words on the page.
I need a clean, organized desk, so my brain can be similarly organized. Cafe writing is fine because I am laser focused when in the groove. Also, I hate talking on the phone—texting or email allows me to reflect before I reply. :)
Yeah, looking over your thoughts gives me the impression you have done a lot of what you say you don’t do. What gives?