I had someone ask me what my editing process is like a little while ago. My response was something along the lines of "um...well...you see...read it aloud, I guess?"
So here is my actual, no bullshit, totally serious editing process. Following this is the only way to do this, and anyone who tells you different is a lying liar.
First, fly to Bali.
You might think you can skip this bit because you are very far away from Bali and there is an island nation closer to home that fits the profile pretty well.
You would be wrong. I wouldn't have said fly to Bali if I meant fly to some other Bali-esque place. This is why the number of wanna-be writers in Bali far outnumbers the local population. Facts would lead you to believe that this statement is false, but facts have mislead us to believe the Earth is round. So screw facts.
You need to pic the right spot in Bali for your editing. It's a beautiful place and there are lots of options, but as any writer will tell you there are a few criteria that are absolutely essential to proper editing. You need an ancient structure of some kind. There should be crashing waves but also poolside service. I'm sure you know the list.
Here is where I ended up while editing First Target:
So here is my actual, no bullshit, totally serious editing process. Following this is the only way to do this, and anyone who tells you different is a lying liar.
First, fly to Bali.
You might think you can skip this bit because you are very far away from Bali and there is an island nation closer to home that fits the profile pretty well.
You would be wrong. I wouldn't have said fly to Bali if I meant fly to some other Bali-esque place. This is why the number of wanna-be writers in Bali far outnumbers the local population. Facts would lead you to believe that this statement is false, but facts have mislead us to believe the Earth is round. So screw facts.
You need to pic the right spot in Bali for your editing. It's a beautiful place and there are lots of options, but as any writer will tell you there are a few criteria that are absolutely essential to proper editing. You need an ancient structure of some kind. There should be crashing waves but also poolside service. I'm sure you know the list.
Here is where I ended up while editing First Target:
Make sure you're comfortable and well rested. Get a drink from the bar. Get another one, because editing is hard and annoying and you need to take the edge off before attempting it. Hemingway would agree (editor's note: No he wouldn't).
You'll sleep for a bit before you get to the actual work, and that's fine. It lets your creativity run around for a while. When you add alcohol to that it is a safe bet that when you start attacking your beautiful prose you can be sure that greatness will result.
You'll wake up in the late afternoon (if you're doing it right), just in time for a meal. Go have that meal, safe in the knowledge that you've laid all the groundwork for great editing. You can do the rest tomorrow.
Or the next day, if necessary, as there are loads of cool things to see in Bali. Like this ray:
You'll sleep for a bit before you get to the actual work, and that's fine. It lets your creativity run around for a while. When you add alcohol to that it is a safe bet that when you start attacking your beautiful prose you can be sure that greatness will result.
You'll wake up in the late afternoon (if you're doing it right), just in time for a meal. Go have that meal, safe in the knowledge that you've laid all the groundwork for great editing. You can do the rest tomorrow.
Or the next day, if necessary, as there are loads of cool things to see in Bali. Like this ray:
Or the release of this baby turtle:
Or this other, unrelated temple:
You'll be feeling really creative when you get back. You're here to edit, but you should allow yourself to write new stuff for a while instead. Editing can always wait but when the muse strikes you need run with it.
It'll take you 90% of your holiday to deal with the muse and all the holiday stuff, leaving you a glorious few hours to get your editing done near the end. You know, however, that you've got a long flight back. This means you can put aside the editing if you need to and enjoy the last scrap of holiday. There's nothing wrong with this decision, and it can only lend your editing more power.
You'll discover that it's really difficult to edit on a plane. Luckily you'll be refreshed when you get home, so you deal with it then.
When you get home, hire someone to do your editing for you. It's what Hemingway would have done (editor: Still no).
Have a good weekend
It'll take you 90% of your holiday to deal with the muse and all the holiday stuff, leaving you a glorious few hours to get your editing done near the end. You know, however, that you've got a long flight back. This means you can put aside the editing if you need to and enjoy the last scrap of holiday. There's nothing wrong with this decision, and it can only lend your editing more power.
You'll discover that it's really difficult to edit on a plane. Luckily you'll be refreshed when you get home, so you deal with it then.
When you get home, hire someone to do your editing for you. It's what Hemingway would have done (editor: Still no).
Have a good weekend
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