Should I edit after each chapter or after a whole book? | Writer Questions #14

One of my biggest issues that I have with my writing is my inability to continue my story because I do not like the way I worded a certain sentence here or felt like a certain line was too cliche there and I constantly have to keep going back over it. Tweaking, editing, obsessing, etc.

Is this something common for everyone or am I unnecessarily hindering myself? How do you deal with this in your writing if you do the same?

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Dear Writer,

Your problem is not common to all writers, but it is common to many. All writers have unique snags in their processes. Some write an entire book in half a year and decide afterward that it is trash, immediately starting on the next book which then ends up in the trash. Other writers linger on the same project for years; I lean toward the latter. (See this video of S. King and G.R.R. Martin for more.)

You're wise to note that this is a snag in your process. Your task should be to identify the needed changes to accomplish your goals. This may mean intentionally choosing to push the plot forward no matter what or finding a person who will hold you accountable for a word count goal for the week.

As someone who began their writing journey with poetry, not prose, I understand your plight. Poetry thrives on concentrated, layered language. Poets agonize over syllables. But novels are different animals; fish eat flakes, dogs eat meat, poems eat single words and syllables, novels eat big ideas stretched out and delved into. I urge you to convince yourself of essential distinctions such as these, as they will help you make the best choices for your art moving forward.

When it comes to this sort of thing, it's not for others to tell you what to do, but rather to help you find ways to identify needed changes you as the author understand need to be made. Asking for help is a good starting place.

Best,

DRM