Editing - Part II

Last week I talked about what editing entails. I want to continue on that topic for a little while longer. Editing is good. Editing is necessary. But, don't let editing get in the way of writing. When you are writing your first draft it is important to keep writing. You aren't expected to get every sentence, every paragraph, and every chapter done perfectly. The first draft shouldn't be perfect. Some people get so caught up in making sure that their writing is topnotch the first time around that they don't ever get to finish their novel. You can go back and add in all the foreshadowing when everything is done. The problem with editing as you write is that you can get caught in an endless cycle of revising the first bunch of chapters because you keep remembering something else you should put in. Instead, keep notes of all of the elements you need to add in so that when you finish your draft you can go back and add what you need to.