Writing is Repetition
As much as this blog is about science fiction, I think this topic is pretty transferable. Think of it as a shout out to anyone who has ever agonized over any kind of text. If you write or create or think critically (or argue) about anything, if you understand (or would like to understand) just how much effort can go into each and every sentence, whether its part of a story, paper, blog post or tweet, then this here's for you.
The title of this post is an excellent example of what I'm talking about. Full disclosure, it originally looked like this: Writing - AnEndless Exercise in Repetition in Search of Something Great and then it went to Writing - An Exercise in is Repetition.
My first two attempts were wordy. A problem of mine. I try my best to adhere to several cardinal rules, including: Say no more than necessary. A tad ironic given today's subject.
So, when I say that writing is about repetition, what do I mean? I mean the first go around is never enough. I don't care who you are, how good you are. You could be absolutely Godly in your prose. Doesn't matter - you need an editor. Or at least to edit, since some of us aren't made of money, much less have a book deal or access to someone in the field who can help.
Writing = Editing = Repetition. It means pouring over your words again and again, measuring the cadence, the intent, the implications. I ask myself again and again: what am I trying to say here? What am I actually saying? Does this work? Can it be better?
Most of the time my answer is an unfortunate 'I don't know'.
Because my creativity doesn't run on a fixed schedule. I don't sit down at the same time every day and come up with something (no matter how much I wish I could). Sometimes things just flow. Other times I have to pull each word out kicking and screaming. And then revise, revise and revise again. Often times by the time I get back to the original text, I've moved on so far that it's a struggle to remember what the overall point is. Or if it's even worth talking about anymore.
Ah, my old friend self doubt.
This is where discipline comes into the equation. Discipline and planning. Because there are ways to help keep things straight - to keep productivity up. And I don't just mean caffeine.
I absolutely encourage anyone and everyone to maintain detailed notes - an outline, scene/thought progression, list of sources, etc. when you're pushing your creative output. This isn't just a suggestion I pulled out of my ass - this is hard experience talking. I've forgotten more pre-sleep thoughts in my life than I can bear to think about because I figured I'd just think about them in the morning. Likewise, I once thought I had enough natural talent to keep my thoughts straight, that I could maintain an encyclopedic understanding of my topic in my head. Sadly, I grew up, realized I wasn't 'the bomb' and started losing my empty head-space to work and life.
Now, obviously I can remember most of my key thoughts, but only to a certain point. I've learned that my head works in layers - general ideas are pretty easy to keep straight. Specifics are a littler harder. And when I get down to base levels, each iota might as well be an atom for all I can hold onto it.
So, how do I manage? Repetition, repetition, repetition...
How about you?
The title of this post is an excellent example of what I'm talking about. Full disclosure, it originally looked like this: Writing - An
My first two attempts were wordy. A problem of mine. I try my best to adhere to several cardinal rules, including: Say no more than necessary. A tad ironic given today's subject.
So, when I say that writing is about repetition, what do I mean? I mean the first go around is never enough. I don't care who you are, how good you are. You could be absolutely Godly in your prose. Doesn't matter - you need an editor. Or at least to edit, since some of us aren't made of money, much less have a book deal or access to someone in the field who can help.
Writing = Editing = Repetition. It means pouring over your words again and again, measuring the cadence, the intent, the implications. I ask myself again and again: what am I trying to say here? What am I actually saying? Does this work? Can it be better?
Most of the time my answer is an unfortunate 'I don't know'.
Because my creativity doesn't run on a fixed schedule. I don't sit down at the same time every day and come up with something (no matter how much I wish I could). Sometimes things just flow. Other times I have to pull each word out kicking and screaming. And then revise, revise and revise again. Often times by the time I get back to the original text, I've moved on so far that it's a struggle to remember what the overall point is. Or if it's even worth talking about anymore.
Ah, my old friend self doubt.
This is where discipline comes into the equation. Discipline and planning. Because there are ways to help keep things straight - to keep productivity up. And I don't just mean caffeine.
I absolutely encourage anyone and everyone to maintain detailed notes - an outline, scene/thought progression, list of sources, etc. when you're pushing your creative output. This isn't just a suggestion I pulled out of my ass - this is hard experience talking. I've forgotten more pre-sleep thoughts in my life than I can bear to think about because I figured I'd just think about them in the morning. Likewise, I once thought I had enough natural talent to keep my thoughts straight, that I could maintain an encyclopedic understanding of my topic in my head. Sadly, I grew up, realized I wasn't 'the bomb' and started losing my empty head-space to work and life.
Now, obviously I can remember most of my key thoughts, but only to a certain point. I've learned that my head works in layers - general ideas are pretty easy to keep straight. Specifics are a littler harder. And when I get down to base levels, each iota might as well be an atom for all I can hold onto it.
So, how do I manage? Repetition, repetition, repetition...
How about you?
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