Comments on: Help me get over Compofectionism

By: Trish Jones

Trish Jones — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:09:05 +0000

Joe Vitale really helped me with this problem … he said write as though the critic is not looking over your shoulder … the critic being the teacher.

The important thing is to get your thoughts down and if you were speaking, you’d never stop and say “edit that.” So, just write.

The other way to overcome this issue is to record your blog posts etc. I used to be an Insurance Adjuster and it was excellent practice for me to learn to dictate without first writing out my report. You’d be amazed just how proficient you get at just speaking without editing.

I know it was frustrating for the typist, but I also used to ignore the mistakes, make a mental note that that part had to be edited and move on. Why? Often trying to say something a second time isn’t as powerful as when you said it the first time.

Hope this helps!

Trish

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:43:04 +0000

@cal evans – thanks for the tip and advice. I appreciate your input.

@jim – thanks for the advice and link. I’ll take a read.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:53:26 +0000

Kyle – I agree with Cal – write without editing. Write, write, write. It’s always easier to trim down a larger swath of ideas into the “gem” you’re looking for as opposed to inflate a “barely attempted paragraph”. The mechanics of it might bore you, but the Strunk and White book “Elements of Style” is a classic! It taught me more about how the verbs (and tense) I use convey the passivity or aggressiveness of my subject than anything else. Thomas Sowell has some interesting thoughts on writing here: http://www.tsowell.com/About_Writing.html.

I agree with Sowell in that he only writes when he has something to say, so if that fits you, then keep after input that compels you to write.

By: Cal Evans

Cal Evans — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:02:14 +0000

Hi Kyle,

To your second second question. The way I avoid compofectionism is to write without editing on my first draft. No matter what, I just keep writing.

Once I have all thoughts down, I start editing.

This works best for me in articles and fiction, I’ve yet to make it work with poetry. When writing poetry I just keep at it until I get totally frustrated and give up.

HTH,
=C=