As writers, we’re often our own worst critics. We pour our hearts and souls into our work, and then we scrutinize every sentence, every word, every punctuation mark. It’s no wonder many of us get stuck in the editing phase, afraid to share our work with the world. But the truth is, the only way to achieve success is to write, edit, repeat – and then share.
The Writing Phase
Before you can edit, you need something to edit. This is where the magic happens – the spark of an idea, the rush of creativity, the flow of words onto the page. This is the most freeing part of the process, where you can let your imagination run wild and your words flow unchecked.
This is also where many of us get stuck. We worry about grammar, spelling, plot holes, and character development. We worry about what others will think. But the truth is, your first draft is rarely your best work. It’s okay to write badly – it’s okay to write something that’s not perfect. Because the only way to get better is to keep writing.
So, what can you do to make the most of this phase?
- Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping. This is called a writing sprint – you can read more about it in Writing Sprints for Productivity.
- Write in a journal or a dedicated writing notebook. This will help you tap into your creative subconscious and get your ideas down on paper.
- Write badly. Yes, you read that right. Write something that’s not perfect, something that’s rough and unfinished. Because the only way to get better is to keep writing.
The Editing Phase
Now that you have something to edit, it’s time to get to work. This is where you take your rough draft and refine it, polish it, and make it shine. This is where you fix grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This is where you make sure your story flows, your characters are developed, and your plot makes sense.
This is also where many of us get stuck. We get caught up in the details, in the nitpicking, in the perfectionism. But the truth is, perfection is the enemy of progress. You can edit forever, but if you don’t share your work, it’s all for nothing.
So, what can you do to make the most of this phase?
- Take a break. Put your work aside for a week, a month, or even a year. This will give you fresh eyes and a new perspective.
- Get beta readers. Share it with others, get feedback, and be open to constructive criticism.
- Use editing tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, or Vellum to help you polish your work.
The Repeating Phase
This is where many of us get stuck. We’re afraid to share our work, afraid of rejection, afraid of criticism. But the truth is, failure is not the opposite of success – it’s a part of it. Every successful writer has faced rejection, criticism, and failure. But they didn’t let it stop them.
This is where you take your polished work and share it with the world. This is where you publish, whether it’s traditionally or self-publishing. This is where you put your work out there and let others read it, judge it, and critique it.
The only way to do great work is to love what you do. – Steve Jobs
This is also where many of us get stuck. We’re afraid of what others will think, afraid of being judged, afraid of being rejected. But the truth is, the only way to achieve success is to share it with the world.
So, what can you do to make the most of this phase?
- Start small. Start with a chapbook, a small collection of poems or short stories. You can read more about it in Chapbook 101: Why You Should Start Small.
- Design your book. Use tools like Canva or Adobe InDesign to create a professional-looking book.
- Format your book. Decide on the paper type, the binding method, the font, and the layout. You can read more about it in The Art of DIY Book Production.
And that’s it – write, edit, repeat. It’s a cycle that never ends, a journey that’s always ongoing. It’s a journey that requires patience, dedication, and perseverance. But if you stick to it, if you keep writing, editing, and repeating, you’ll achieve success.
So, what are you waiting for? Start writing, start editing, and start sharing your work with the world. Because the only way to achieve success is to take the first step.