Wednesday 2 March 2011

Earache Editing

It's my post day over on Operation Awesome today, but I'm posting this here as well because, well, I'm afraid I'm not feeling my chirpy cookie self today. An attack of earache has me in its throbbing, evil grasp. But never fear, I've found a way to post through the pain -- and link it to writing. 

Earache is one of those things that sneaks up on you. You can be walking around, content in your own world, and then bam, a gust of wind rushes in your ears. You know it's coming, but you try to ignore it. Hours later you're awake at 2am clutching a hot water bottle watching CSI: Las Vegas repeats.

But earache has a productive side. Oh yes. You know the nagging feeling you get when your ear throbs? Well, it's kind of like with editing. You write your MS, walk around all chirpy and la la la, but you know it's coming. You want to ignore it, but you can't.

After my fantabulous CPs give me their feedback, I begin. I tend to use my gut feeling for a lot of my editing. You know, the little nag inside you that tells you something isn't quite right? With earache you treat it. You take some painkillers, grab a hot water bottle and snuggle down for a nap, waiting for the throb to go away. With editing, the throb is something you can't ignore. So you open your word document, get your editing tools, and wait for the throb to start. If I don't feel the throb on a certain area, I pretty much leave it alone.

My earache editing motto: feel the throb, treat the problem.


What about you? Got any editing tips? Earache remedies? 

4 comments:

Stina said...

I haven't had an ear ache since I was a kid. My kids haven't had them either. Sweet.

Hmmm. Editing tips. If I get suck on something, I like to go for a run and think about it. It's amazing how much that helps. :D

Of course I don't go running everytime I get suck. I'd been running several hours a day if I did (but think of all the chocolate I could eat). I also think about things while showering, blowdrying my hair, washing dishes, walking with the kids (they don't like it when I do that, though). ;)

Hannah said...

I'm not the best at editing my own work but I pretty much use, if it sounds wrong, it's probably wrong. That's steered me towards a better draft. The rest of it...CPs. :D

Renae said...

I love how you compare everyday events to writing. My ear doesn't ache, but my head is sure throbbing after hours of editing!

I hope you feel better soon!

WritingNut said...

Ayee.. I'm so sorry to hear that.. I had it once that I can remember, and it was the devil! :(

I'm hope you feel better soon!