I understand completely, but I'm always happy when it's done. I like Tere's description. It's kind of like losing weight. :) And I save everything too. That way if I've cut too much it's not gone forever.
Aww... Sounds like you need some chocolate and bacon!
I felt that way the first couple of times I did it, but now I'm kind of getting used to it... I'm going to put up a sign that says, "Bad Words Beware1"
Grrr...I HATE deleting. Hate it! But I always find that when I do, and when I finally stop taking out my anger on my keyboard, the work that emerges from the edit is far better than what I started with. But I do keep the old drafts around, you know, for old time's sake!
What if you C&P them into a new document for undetermined later? Is that kind of like locking your offspring into the closet instead of eating them? And is that actually any less cruel?
So now we're locking them in closets, sprinkling salt on them to make them taste better and/or just chewing, not digesting. We could say, "I didn't swallow."
PRICELESS! And you have done an amazing amount of editing lately. A fantastic, stupendous, lie-on-the-floor-and-feel-too-exhausted-to-even-think-about-getting-up amount.
I kinda like deleting my own words. Couldn't imagine eating my children, though. I don't think they'd taste too yummy. Well maybe my daughter would. She's really sweet. ;)
Yes, I can understand how you feel about deleting and revision in general (most times it just sucks the life out of writing), but you also have to look at the good side. If you start your revisions in a new document than you will always have the old document to look back on and go "God, I really am glad that I deleted all that crap, the new draft is much better."
So true! When I revise, I have to keep the excerpts that I pull out or I feel a depressing sense of loss.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Elana! :)
Shh...don't tell anyone, but I sort of like it. Does that make me a baby eating cannibal?
ReplyDeleteAmen!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, wait, I've deleted almost 15,000 words. Is that mass genocide?
Nope, it's cathartic, like revealing a big secret or losing weight.
ReplyDelete(But I do keep old versions on file before I start slashing and burning. Not because I'm sentimental or anything.)
I understand completely, but I'm always happy when it's done. I like Tere's description. It's kind of like losing weight. :) And I save everything too. That way if I've cut too much it's not gone forever.
ReplyDeleteI am not a murderer....I swear!!!
ReplyDeleteROFL!!!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. Been missing your posts.
ReplyDeleteSo. True.
ReplyDeleteOh, LiLa, I like it too. And yeah, Scott I've committed mass genocide too. Mwa, ha ha!
ReplyDeleteI'm still glad others find this hard to do.
:) Elana
Awwww, just think of all the words you get to give life to on your next project and maybe that will make you feel better.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your edits have been going fruitfully.
Aww... Sounds like you need some chocolate and bacon!
ReplyDeleteI felt that way the first couple of times I did it, but now I'm kind of getting used to it... I'm going to put up a sign that says, "Bad Words Beware1"
That is so true.
ReplyDeletePROMISE ME you'll read my post on Word Vessel on Oct. 22. PROMISE!
ReplyDeleteBut the real question is how much salt you put on them.
ReplyDeleteGrrr...I HATE deleting. Hate it! But I always find that when I do, and when I finally stop taking out my anger on my keyboard, the work that emerges from the edit is far better than what I started with. But I do keep the old drafts around, you know, for old time's sake!
ReplyDeleteJen
Hurts, doesn't it? :(
ReplyDeleteBut--- as long as it makes the ones that stay all that more powerful, it's a good thing.
*snicker*
ReplyDeleteElana, if you get any more awesome, I'm going to have to start wearing shades when I visit your blog. >:)
mwahahahaha!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat if you C&P them into a new document for undetermined later? Is that kind of like locking your offspring into the closet instead of eating them? And is that actually any less cruel?
ReplyDeleteHeeehee. I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI secret mine away into other documents just so I can go look at them sometimes. That way, I only kind of chew them up instead of digest them. =]
ReplyDeleteI concur. (Gosh that doesn't look right, lol). But never underestimate the power of the delete button, eating your offspring brings no such luck.
ReplyDeleteROTFL!!
ReplyDeleteSo now we're locking them in closets, sprinkling salt on them to make them taste better and/or just chewing, not digesting. We could say, "I didn't swallow."
Can't... stop... laughing!
LOL!! The delete key is my best friend, but I always stick the deleted words into another file just in case I change my mind. You are too funny!
ReplyDeleteOuch, the truth hurts! Key stroke, key stroke, delete, delete. Repeat. Key stroke, key stroke, delete,delete.
ReplyDeleteI have the rhythm down to a science.
Blessings to you...
Only to make room for the stronger ones...um. That didn't sound right. ;)
ReplyDeleteNo wonder editing sucks :)
ReplyDeleteI saw this earlier in my dashboard and laughed.
ReplyDeleteDon't have much to add to it. Heh.
Classic. Classic post.
ReplyDeleteThat is all. :)
ah.....smells like revision.
ReplyDeleteThe world is overpopulated :)
ReplyDeletePRICELESS! And you have done an amazing amount of editing lately. A fantastic, stupendous, lie-on-the-floor-and-feel-too-exhausted-to-even-think-about-getting-up amount.
ReplyDeleteHelluva job, E!
Yes, yes it is. Now go watch Equilibrium. :)
ReplyDeleteI kinda like deleting my own words. Couldn't imagine eating my children, though. I don't think they'd taste too yummy. Well maybe my daughter would. She's really sweet. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy kids taste better than my words. Yum. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can understand how you feel about deleting and revision in general (most times it just sucks the life out of writing), but you also have to look at the good side. If you start your revisions in a new document than you will always have the old document to look back on and go "God, I really am glad that I deleted all that crap, the new draft is much better."
ReplyDeleteEdit...I forgot to dot an i I'm sorry:(