Jenny

Endless Bells Hells

Fixing an obvious error/typo in the sentence you just wrote is fine, but we're not talking about that. Do not reread, do not continue searching for errors, do not even spellcheck in case that leads you down the editing rabbithole.

I could definitely stand not to edit as much while I write but I will continue to do so because I find it fun. And sometimes my mind won't be in a space to move the story forward but I can still work on my writing by editing. And sometimes that leads me to start writing anyway.

When story is flowing and you're on a roll whether it's been a couple hours, days, or weeks of steady progress, do not edit.

If you are stuck, confused, uninspired, or uncertain, refresh by rereading.

It's just so perfect. The amount of blackout text. The fact it works without additions. The succinctness of the phrase. The palaeontology basis. The way it implies that tetrapods only left the water and evolved in 1562.

Fellow writers with mental illness struggles:

400 words a day.

Five days a week.

That’s my deal with myself.

On rough mental health days, I adapt to “400 words or 45 minutes of effort.”

I’ve finished several long projects/books with this strategy.