Helen, this is grave indeed. I have never ever resorted to ironing.

Don't think they're the one third wobbles as I'm still going at it every day. Just used to tightening every sentence. it's pure short-fiction writer control freak mode. But I'm also confused by how fickle my taste can be. A fortnight ago I read a section I'd written a while back and loathed it. Reread it recently and liked it so put it back in. My judgement's out the window right now.

I'm interested in Dorothea Brande's notion of the dual writing selves, creator and editor. Wonder if the creator needs full vent to get it down then the editor, with whom I'm more at home, can come along, all headmistressy, and sort out the mess at the end, which she so loves to do.




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certain kinds of boredom

there's definitely an element of that...

Wonder if the creator needs full vent to get it down then the editor, with whom I'm more at home, can come along, all headmistressy, and sort out the mess at the end, which she so loves to do.

It's not how everyone works, but it's certainly how I do, and a lot of other writers I know. It's just a shock for the short-fiction writers, who aren't used to staying in creator mode and keeping their editor out of the way for six months at a time. Specially when what looks like your editor is actually your inner critic in one of its most effective disguises.

A fortnight ago I read a section I'd written a while back and loathed it. Reread it recently and liked it so put it back in.

One solution to this one is never, ever to go back and read something you wrote a while back, till you've finished the whole thing. After all, you won't really know if it's right or not till you have, will you? I write first drafts longhand precisely because it's a huge disincentive to fiddling. And even if I do go back, putting a line through it isn't at all the same as deleting it - it emphasises how provisional it is, until you've finished.

Emma

Well creator/editor is supposed to be a left-hand/right-hand brain thing, so you're probably right.

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oh, blast I only answered this as an excuse to try out the new smilies.

No doubt David will be setting up invisible smilies shortly...



Yes, I read Dorothea Brande years ago, and when I read Drawing on the Right Side of the brain it all fell into place together.

Emma

PS spot the invisible smilies

It's just a shock for the short-fiction writers, who aren't used to staying in creator mode and keeping their editor out of the way for six months at a time. Specially when what looks like your editor is actually your inner critic in one of its most effective disguises.

That's it, exactly.