Being a teacher of writing, who comes into daily contact with less than stellar writers, the single most important thing I teach them is that if they can do a solid outline-thought process, they can blow their essays out of the water. Editing does not begin after you finish writing. It begins before you put your pen on the paper.
I know that sounds a bit odd. But it's true. Even if you are a self-proclaimed pantster (pantser)... meaning you don't believe in plotting out ahead, I bet that you do. Plot. A lot. Just because you have nothing written down does not mean you aren't plotting. How many times do you think about, write and rewrite...and all inside your head? And I can absolutely guarantee -- even if your story NEVER crosses your mind -- your subconscious has done a whole TON of plotting and thinking without your permission. Yes, your fabulous brain plots -- and EDITS -- whether you want it to or not.
For the plotters out there, yeah, you KNOW about editing while writing because everything is planned to the nth degree. You excel at sometimes thinking yourself into corners where not much actual writing gets done because your brain is so busy thinking seven steps ahead...and then rewriting every step. Again. And now there's ten steps. Once more, your incredible brain is doing things you may not want it to do, because the thing is truly an unruly beast, who does not like obeying your rules. OK, who are we kidding, it doesn't like obeying anyone's rules.
I know that sounds a bit odd. But it's true. Even if you are a self-proclaimed pantster (pantser)... meaning you don't believe in plotting out ahead, I bet that you do. Plot. A lot. Just because you have nothing written down does not mean you aren't plotting. How many times do you think about, write and rewrite...and all inside your head? And I can absolutely guarantee -- even if your story NEVER crosses your mind -- your subconscious has done a whole TON of plotting and thinking without your permission. Yes, your fabulous brain plots -- and EDITS -- whether you want it to or not.
For the plotters out there, yeah, you KNOW about editing while writing because everything is planned to the nth degree. You excel at sometimes thinking yourself into corners where not much actual writing gets done because your brain is so busy thinking seven steps ahead...and then rewriting every step. Again. And now there's ten steps. Once more, your incredible brain is doing things you may not want it to do, because the thing is truly an unruly beast, who does not like obeying your rules. OK, who are we kidding, it doesn't like obeying anyone's rules.