This particular advice I have read from almost all the legendary writers I admire. And that is – when you sit down to write, sit devoid of rules and regulations, sit without grammar and punctuations, without erasers and cutters. Just pour your heart out. Let it all come out tumbling down on paper, freeing your mind of the load.
But once done emptying yourself, now is the time to bring out the knives and cutters and tongs and erasers, and reduce that heap to a half. Because now is the time to analyse what is really needed and what is merely tagging along. It is important, however, to ascertain that the essence of your writing is not lost.
Tolstoy said the same thing,
When rereading and revising, do not think about what should be added (no matter how admirable the thoughts that come to mind) … but about how much can be taken away without distorting the overall meaning.
What are your thoughts about this pattern of writing? Is there any other way you’d rather have it? Tell me all.
Experiencing a writing block? Visit @badbookthief on Instagram for writing inspiration.
Happy writing till we meet next.
Until then, carpe diem! 🙂
~~~~~
© Asha Seth
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Asha Seth 
Chopping up things is for me the easy part, trying to balance pacing is more of a bind, although with the blog posts I do at the moment that’s not a problem, that bloody manuscript though…
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I so feel you at that one. The MS is such a task always. Especially, the cutting down bit. I am writing short stories and that’s added struggle. One can’t have the liberties with short stories, one enjoys with novels.
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When editing, I can always find a way where a sentence makes more sense!
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I guess that’s the whole purpose of editing.
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I agree with this.
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Awesome.
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When revising I do tend to chop away a lot, but I also find spots where new scenes can go (usually the slower ones, clarifying the plot or adding important information). For me, it’s a bit of add and subtract 🙂
Happy writing!
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Yes, that makes sense. I tend to do that too. It might not always be about reducing but actually bettering up the work.
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Wonderful inspiring post .
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Thank you.
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Thanks for the lovely post.
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You’re most welcome, Deepika.
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