Comments on: The best writing mistakes and how to make them.

By: Les

Les — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:59:44 +0000

Excellent advice!

I used to write college papers as an ‘uptight’ writer, carefully measuring every word, rewriting every sentence several times. It makes for a great text that doesn’t need editing, but I could only keep it up for several pages and the process took much longer than it had to.

These days, I simply write down everything that comes to mind, without stopping or editing myself, and find that I end up with enough material for several papers. Then I simply organize it by topic, structure the argument, and rewrite what is basically a first draft. The resulting text is always less stilted and much more interesting to read.

By: Dianna Zaragoza

Dianna Zaragoza — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:35:54 +0000

Great title…had to click.

Honestly, this can be one of the hardest hurdles for a new writer to overcome…just writing out what’s in their brain. It’s great to get permission and just do it. That’s the best benefit of NaNoWriMo, in my opinion. Giving people permission to be creative without having to get it all right the first time.

Of course, something even harder is to “clean up the mess” afterwards, when you just want to start sending it out and be done with it! But I suppose that’s a whole other blog topic :-). Good job.

By: LADY ALBYNO

LADY ALBYNO — Mon, 30 May 2011 15:51:36 +0000

This was very insightful & refreshing. Currently writing my 1st book, a nonfiction, I almost got caught up in the over-editing mode. I’ve learned 2 write it, let it sit, then come back & read it over. This is the process I now practice. I was under the illusion that my 1st draft was going 2 be my final draft….lol. The journey of writing sure is interesting & fun!!!

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 30 May 2011 15:34:22 +0000

I love reading this sort of thing – makes me feel that I’m going about learning to write in the best way even when sometimes I can’t bear to look at what I’ve written. Thanks John.

Kate, kateinthecountryside.blogspot.com

PS any comments or suggestions on my blog much appreciated!

By: Eric Satchwill

Eric Satchwill — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 06:20:05 +0000

I’d have to agree completely with this. Being a perfectionist used to hold me back in so many ways; I wouldn’t even speak until I had a perfectly edited sentence to offer. Of course, by then the topic of conversation had changed about three times over…

Now I’m learning to just let it all spill out and get it sorted after the fact. I find I’m getting more than a few gems that way.

By: fjordz

fjordz — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:50:28 +0000

This is so true! You’ll know your flaws when you’re open to mistakes. :)

By: Two Very Different Beasts « Drifting Astray

Two Very Different Beasts « Drifting Astray — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:12:32 +0000

[...] Words A Day Challenge’ on Inkygirl.com. ‘The best writing mistakes and how to make them’ on 3000 [...]

By: Twitted by Quotes4Writers

Twitted by Quotes4Writers — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:56:19 +0000

[...] This post was Twitted by Quotes4Writers [...]

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:28:08 +0000

A friend of mine always told me “First you make your mess and then you clean it up.” That’s always been my tactic. Although sometimes the ‘clean it up part’ can be a bit challenging…. :-)

By: Jan Tallent

Jan Tallent — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:57:37 +0000

I totally agree and am trying to train myself to DO it and then go back and proofread and edit. I am NOT a writer, but do transcriptions, proofreading and editing and the fact that I have a habit of stopping and correcting every error or typo as I go not only slows me down immensely but also makes work out of what I love doing!

I am also an avid reader and am trying to learn to turn OFF the proofreader when I read for pleasure because I get caught up on every error or unclear thought and then am not getting the pleasure out of reading that I read TO get!

Jan :-)