“Books aren’t written – they’re rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn’t quite done it.”
Yes, no matter if it takes seven or more tries, the end result should be worth the effort. And, not to get picky, but I think he meant ‘manuscripts’ rather than books since books are ‘published, completed works’.
A very true quote. I’ve been spending time recently re-editing Pit of Vipers. I was never satisfied with the editing of that book! Getting the wording to my satisfaction (minus the typos, too!) is my big aim.
Hope you are back to your writing now, Jack.
Interesting, milliethom. Are you planning to re-publish after the re-editing? My reading, writing, and blog posting will get back to ‘normal’ once my eye-glasses prescription is ready. It will be nice to see clearly again.
As Hemingway said, it’s all a matter of getting the words right – no matter what it takes.
Yes, no matter if it takes seven or more tries, the end result should be worth the effort. And, not to get picky, but I think he meant ‘manuscripts’ rather than books since books are ‘published, completed works’.
A good quote, Jack. 🙂 — Suzanne
🙂
If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it – Elmore Leonard
Yep. Something to be said for editing. But it’s not printable!
Ha! Yes, yes there is, Phil.
A very true quote. I’ve been spending time recently re-editing Pit of Vipers. I was never satisfied with the editing of that book! Getting the wording to my satisfaction (minus the typos, too!) is my big aim.
Hope you are back to your writing now, Jack.
Interesting, milliethom. Are you planning to re-publish after the re-editing? My reading, writing, and blog posting will get back to ‘normal’ once my eye-glasses prescription is ready. It will be nice to see clearly again.
I wonder, is this why some of us write poetry. Less words to edit.😊.
Mike quotes Hemingway and I believe he also said “every word has to count”.
Tough work this ‘ere writing.
miriam
Aye, tis work this, Miriam, prose & poetry. 🙂
😉