Week 3: Writing is editing
Introduction
Download this video clip.Video player: ou_futurelearn_fiction_vid_1015.mp4
Skip transcript
Transcript
DEREK NEALE
Welcome to week 3. So, you’ve explored a few different ways to get a story started; we’re going to think about the importance of editing.
You may be worried that your writing doesn’t come out right first time. Of course, it will happen like that, but most writers spend as much or more time editing and redrafting as they do writing first drafts.
This anxiety about the quality of writing is the same for any writer: it often stems from a fear of writing badly, which is entirely understandable – no one wants to do that. But the most important thing is getting that first draft down. Remember, you don’t need to show your work to others straight away – sometimes just remembering that no one will see it can liberate you.
Once you have a first draft, you have something to improve on. This is where you can rethink what you’ve done, change whatever you like, say things differently or clarify wherever necessary.
So, this week you’ll learn about the importance of reviewing and reflecting upon your writing. We’ll consider the sorts of things you need to bear in mind as you edit and make changes to your work. You’ll also exchange feedback with your fellow writers and you’ll start writing another story.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).
Editing is all important. Most writers spend as much, or more, time editing and redrafting as they do writing first drafts. But you can’t edit without first of all getting that first draft down.
Once you have a first draft, you have something to improve on. This is where you can rethink what you’ve done. Change whatever you like. Say things differently, or clarify where necessary. You can improve your writing.