Writing as an EDITOR
Perfection may be getting in your way…
This is a nice way of saying you may be a perfectionist. You have a tendency to edit as you write, because you want to get it just right. Your work is exceptional - if only you could just get it finished. You run the risk of getting very stuck because you want it to be perfect the first time. Sometimes you need a kick in the right direction.
Because the world needs your voice, and you if you aren’t careful you’ll stay stuck on page one, or have a digital graveyard full of unfinished projects.
What you need is a way to write freely, and focus on moving forward rather than backward. If I can tell you something I know to be true - things often come together the further along you get with your writing, and you won’t experience that if you are constantly editing what you already wrote.
Writing as an editor, you need tools that keep you moving forward and here are three that I think you will find helpful.
Writing sprints. The idea behind a writing sprint is that you set a timer for lets say 10 or 15 minutes (or whatever you choose) and you commit to writing that entire time without editing yourself. If you think this will be difficult then perhaps start with 5 minutes. In addition, promise yourself not to look back, and whatever you do - don’t delete your writing. Instead put new ideas in a separate place, and perhaps use those as prompts if you get writers block.
External support (e.g writing group). I think that belonging to a group of writers can be helpful for any writing style, but particularly for editors. Sometimes you can get lost in your own work and in making changes, and having external support can bring you the perspective you need to move ahead with your work. And you can join my free Facebook writer’s group here if you haven’t already found one!
Working with a coach. If a writing group isn’t enough to keep you moving forward, then you may find it helpful working with a coach who might be able to give you a push in the right direction. Keep an eye out in my newsletter for opportunities to work with me in both a group setting, and one-on-one.
Ultimately, the most useful thing for every writer is to know your writing style and understand what conditions you need to make the most of it.
If you want to explore that more, check out my “Let’s write Success Guide” - a video training with an accompanying workbook - that I have created. It comes with a video that goes more deeply into the topic, and prompts and exercises that empower you to start strong, and improve your chances of success as you write YOUR way.
You can grab that resource here.
And I love sharing ideas, examples and my own personal experiences about what helps get through blocks when writing. Now that you are on my mailing list (and if you aren’t join here), you’ll receive my bi-weekly blog posts on this topic, as well as on strategy that will keep you writing until you reach your goals!
Want to learn about the other writing styles? Click on the links below.