Blundell: Best editing advice I've ever read!

"Writers who write more than one opening for the same piece, or who do a lot of blocks moving as they shift material around, have basic organizational problems. They are wasting time and material resources. They'll end up driving themselves- and their editors crazy." writes Jack Hart in 'A Writer's Coach'

I humbly do not agree with what the distinguished writer says in the above quotation. In fact, I am the one, he is talking about. As E. L Doctorow says, "Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go."

Yes, I  try more than one opening for a single piece and I do that because I am creative and I care about my reader. I try to visualize  which opening will be more engaging before finalizing and sometimes take advice from my editing buddies.

And yes. I do move the blocks. All writing experts say writing is re-writing. In the first draft, I just try to wrap up the story including the main facts. I try to leave it for sometimes then start editing. And as Blundell advises, I first edit to lengthen it does not shorten it i.e I try to fill the gaps in the story. Work on transitions and sometimes switch blocks.
'On Writing Well' or in some other writing book, the writer says everybody is different. So adopt what suits you. Two good writers may have entirely different writing habits. In the end what matters is what suits you.


Below are some tips from Blundell on editing. This is the best writing and editing advice, I found out of  a dozen of writing books I have been following since a year.

EDIT FOR LENGTHENING THE STORY NOT SHORTENING IT

Read quickly through the story. 

Look first the ways to lengthen it, not to shorten it. 

If you have omitted some portions of reporting that buttress the key sections. 

Some point of explanation that will make things clearer. Make sure 

Everything needed to make the story clear and convincing is in it. (BTW I love this tip. It has given me so much freedom that I feel myself flying)

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THEMES AND CONCLUSIONS

pay special attention to conclusions and summaries including main theme statement.

Check do they say exactly what you want to say? and are they as forceful as the material that back them up?

(I am still trying to learn it but not as much successful)

PAY ATTENTION TO TRANSITIONS

Pay attention to transitional material, attributions and explanations.

SHARPEN THE VERBOSE ELEMENTS

If any are verbose or fuzzy?  Is your account extra flowery? have u used words like magniloquent? and grandiloquent? Try to sharpen it.

Is your account redundant?  have you repeated same facts repeatedly?

Is there any secondary character annoying you? Get rid of him immediately  if he is not needed.

DON"T CUT ENTIRE SENTENCES TO SHORTEN YOUR STORY

Alternately, first micro-cut i-e make space by cutting extra words. Avoid major surgery in the beginning.

Blood and bone get away with the fats and some wounds appear that must be stitched. Adress the gaps left after editing.

Word by word editing takes more time

Siamese twin sentences should be combined.

Slowly a better brisker story takes shape.

Check if  a simple statement can do instead of full set of proofs?

Thank you Michael for Blundells scanned pages. I have ordered the book.