I think an important part of editing (and writing for that matter) is having a space that is yours. It can be your favorite comfy chair, your desk, your home office, but you need to make sure the conditions work for you.
I can write/edit with music blaring, my boyfriend yelling at a football game, the phone ringing, dogs barking…noise just doesn’t bother me. I’m able to tune all that out, but I do need easy access to snacks. It’s sad, but no matter where I’m writing, I have a glass of water to my right and a bag of twizzlers (or other candy) to my left. I know this sounds crazy (and I don’t always eat the candy…okay, who am I kidding, I do) but just having these things around makes me able to focus on the task at hand.
I have a laptop and I work better on the couch then at my desk. I like to be comfortable so I can “zone into” my work. I think a big part of buckling down and writing or getting around to that edit is making yourself happy in the space that you have.
Tomorrow – Tips on Self Editing
Ha! I'm exactly the same way with noise and candy. I have two young children so there is always noise. And I have to have Twizzlers or Good & Plenty on my desk. :)
ReplyDeleteTwizzlers have definitely saved my day more than once! I'm glad I'm not alone on the snack front :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could write in a noisy environment...I have been known to tune out entirely while reading in subways, trolleys, taxi cabs, restaurants, sporting events, but writing is different, somehow. It's harder, heh. I need to be able to submerse myself in my time period, and if I have modern music playing or if my parrots are screaming for attention, it's hard to disappear into the quiet of the 19th century.
ReplyDeleteBut endless cups of tea help. :3
Thanks for stopping by my blog too! GOOD LUCK WITH SUBMISSIONS! That is really exciting. I'm also following you and can't wait to see what happens in 2011! (Maybe we'll be Submission Sisters? Who knows what will happen?) Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteI need to have music playing as I write.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of music? I actually prefer upbeat music to soothing (when I'm writing) or I start to lose focus and become sleepy. :)
ReplyDeleteFor music, I enjoy a Pandora channel of movie soundtracks. Makes everything seem more dramatic. I'm also a couch/laptop person. Haven't tried twizzlers while I write, but since you mentioned it, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it...
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what I write, but I like having movie soundtracks on for the most part. Mixed with the occasional jazz or classical.
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ReplyDeleteThanks,
Heather
Very well written, good to have little humor in your post as it keeps reader interested in the post. Thank you for sharing this piece with us
ReplyDelete