What is the difference between an author and a wanna-be writer? One writes, and the other only wants to write. Then again, some edit continuously from the first word written to the last word, if they actually get that far. So, when is the best time to edit your work? That is, assuming you’ve written something to begin with.

For many writers, there is a well-defined process, beginning with jotting down ideas, creating character sketches, plotting the curve of the storyline, and then starting to write. For many writers, also, there is also an incessant need/desire to go back over what was just written and re-work it almost to oblivion. The problem with both processes is that there comes a point when the writer is mired down with details, edits, and more details, and the writing stalls. Don’t let this happen.

For me, the best process is to start writing and just plow through the story. Everything else can fall into place later, once the pre-written story has seen its official ups and downs. The finer details can be done on the side, but don’t stop the process until the first outline is done. And resist the urge to edit until you’ve found your way to the end of the story. However, that being said, there will be more than one edit following the completion of the first draft. And there may also be some major rewrites.

I call this first plunge into the project’s vast aura of ideas to be the pre-writing stage. It’s the time for making lists, doing some research, brainstorming, doing interviews (if necessary, especially in nonfiction works), making sure resources are easily accessible (books, articles, etc.), and, of course, the pre-writing stage where, like me, you plow right ahead and get that first rough draft written.

This writing stage is the most exciting. You, the writer, are the creator, the inventor, the one who is making this story happen. It’s quite the power trip when you think about it. So, plow ahead – write and enjoy the ride. This is also the time to start thinking of a title. Once again, make a list: every time you think of a potential title, write it down. Your work will go through many drafts before the title is officially identified.

The first draft complete, it’s now time to go through the manuscript again – to edit, re-write, and perhaps even pre-write more passages or chapters. There may be something new you want to include something you hadn’t considered during the first stage of this writing process.

All this leads to the next big question: when is enough editing enough? Well, most editors would conclude that you can never have enough editing and there will always be some quirks, grammatical misadventures, and spelling mishaps. What can I say? Life just happens, and so does your writing. So, stop thinking about it, stop the rewrites and over-edits, and start writing.