I love editing, and I consider it to be an integral part of writing.
For me, editing is where I flesh out the rhythm of the words. It’s where I check the flow between lines, between paragraphs and chapters, how dialogue from one character interacts with another, revealing their base philosophies and to what degree they are ready to express them. I’ve added pages onto lines (and conversely, cut chapters in half) as I try to find the correct rhythm to make the story go from words on a page, into being immersively visualized and felt.
I don’t know much about music, but I imagine drafting would be where I’d put together the basic structure–melody, bridge, refrain, and whatnot–and editing would be where I really hammer out all the flourishes, key changes, rap breaks, backbeats, etc.
Or, if it were cooking, drafting would be the main dish, and editing would be the seasoning that made it pop.
Both are essential. But in my personal experience, editing is really where I refine the magic and give my story the best chance of downloading into my audience’s imagination.
Explore the Worlds Behind the Stories
Kent Wayne’s ideas about storytelling, power, and human nature appear throughout his fiction.
If you’re curious how those ideas appear inside the stories, start with the Unbound Realm.
If you’re still exploring, follow the ideas:
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