Even the best writer has to erase.
Spanish Proverb
I happened across this quote years ago
and like to share it with my teen writing
students to help illustrate that writing is a process.
Perhaps though, it should be updated to say,
Even the best writer has to backspace.
What do you think?
How much do you cut, delete, and backspace?
I will be taking a break until Memorial Day.
My mother in law had surgery on Friday, so there
are a few extra things on my plate.
Have a great week!
Blessings,
Karen
Photo credit: Stock Exchange
Great proverb, sometimes erase, backspace, cut, delete, select all or just scribble over.
ReplyDeleteThe delete key is my friend. I use it constantly. :-) Have a nice break!
ReplyDeleteWishing your mother-in-law a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen .. the best writers seem to do erasing best! Just wanted to tell a story - it ended up in three posts - each getting longer! Still it's done .. someone else's story .. rubbed and erased by me - insufficiently perhaps though.
ReplyDeleteI do hope your MIL has come through safely and all will be well - look after yourself too ..
Cheers Hilary
I write with pencil. And yes, I erase. Have a relaxing break.
ReplyDeleteCharmaine,
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite writing quotes. I'm with you, I do all of these things. :)
Jessica,
Yes, it is a friend, isn't it? I use it often too. :)
Linda,
Thank you. :) She is coming along well.
Hilary,
I think you are right, good point!
I think it's a good thing when our writing evolves - even into three posts! My MIL is doing okay, thank you. Thanks for the reminder to look after me; I am her main caregiver. I know you can well relate; it does get a bit stressful at times.
Thanks and blessings all,
Karen
Carol,
ReplyDeleteAh, you are the smart one, writing with pencil. When I write longhand, I use a pen. Mostly though, I type everything anymore.
Thanks a bunch,
Karen
Backspace and delete are wonderful tools. I've cut whole chapters from my current WIP in the attempt to strengthen characters and bring out the core of the story.
ReplyDeleteHope your MIL is doing okay--healing.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do a decent amount of backspacing. I hunt for the best word.
~ Wendy
Blessings to your MIL, Karen. In writing, I always go back and read things a couple of times and make revisions. Sometimes I won't catch a mistake the first time around. Or I'll find how to make it read better. Have a nice break. Susan
ReplyDeleteI'm constantly erasing/backspacing. I find it harder on my laptop because it's only backspacing without the easiness of the delete button. If only I had a dime for every deleted key.
ReplyDeleteHope your mother in law is doing well Karen.
ReplyDeleteYes! I do erase.. a lot! And then even more during the editing process...
Oh yeah, I erase... yup, I sure do... probably should do it more...
ReplyDeletePrayers for peace and rest in the midst of your circumstances!
Bless you!
I delete! I make all corrections to the main document without fear. (Of course, I have a printed version saved just in case.)
ReplyDeleteTake care of your mother-in-law and we will see you next week.
Erase?? Moi???? Ya think??? *sob* All the time. I write entire pages and then reread and abackspacing I go. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteEmailing you, my friend. Praying for mom-in-law. You know that! Right? (((hugs))) Mwah!
Writing the column longhand, there are pleeenty of strike-throughs and ink scribbles, believe me. Yes! I do.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time of rest, Karen. You need it. But come back, okay? Will check in to see how you're doing.
I love the "do-over" principle - - be it in writing or in life. Some things CAN'T be taken back, so I'm fairly cautious about those things. But other things need not be set in stone. I like the freedom of that.
ReplyDeleteAt one time, cut and paste were my only two friends on the computer.
ReplyDeleteBefore that, I wrote in notebooks and on filler paper, skipping a line between the written lines in case I had to change something.
If anyone says they don't erase, they speak with a forked tongue.
Prayers for your MIL.
The backspace key is my best friend, followed closely by cut and paste ;)
ReplyDeleteAll best to your MIL.
I do it far too much during the first draft and not enough in the revision stage ;)
ReplyDeleteAll the time :-)
ReplyDeleteTyrean,
ReplyDeleteYes, they are great tools. I wonder what we would do without them! Whole chapters, huh? You are a smart writer, I'm thinking. :)
Wendy,
She is getting there, thanks so much. The backspace key is my friend too. :)
Susan,
Thank you! She's doing okay. I'm always reviewing too. Sometimes I need to just leave it be. I could tweak things forever! :)
Joylene,
Hey, me too! We could be rich! We should work on this idea...:)
Marja,
She is doing okay, thank you. Well, then I think we need to start an erasing or backspacing club, don't you think? :)
Cheryl,
Thanks so much! It's been an interesting time for our family, but God is good and faithful. :)
Alex,
Yes, good point! Always keep a back up or two or three. Printers and flash drives are our friends. :) Thanks a bunch!
Robyn,
Well, I did think you might once or twice. :) But you know, it's all part of the process. Big hugs, amigo!
Rhonda,
Oh yeah, me too! Lots of scribbles!
Thanks a bunch, my friend!
Kathleen,
very good point! The backspace or delete are our do-over keys. Thankful for God's grace for do-overs in other areas. :)
Cecelia,
I like the way you said that! :) You are right, I'm thinking! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Ruth,
Oh yes what would we do without cut and paste? Thanks so much for your good thoughts. Much appreciated.
Lynda,
Lol! Yes, I'm thinking I fall into that category often too!
Diane,
Like I said, we should start a club!
Thanks and blessings all,
Karen
Marja,
Karen,
ReplyDeleteSorry to learn about your mother-in-law. May all her health problems be "erased" soon! :-)
Oh bless your heart sweetie! My prayers are with you and your MIL.
ReplyDeleteGlory...I'll sit and edit somethin' all day if I let myself. It's kinda the Type~A twisted perfectionist in me. 'Just sayin'.......
God bless ya and have an amazin' day sweetie!!! :o)
Jen,
ReplyDeleteThank you. She's doing better from the surgery, so we're thankful for that.
Nezzy,
Thanks so much, you are so sweet! I do that too - could edit all day, but I am getting better about letting it rest. Sometimes. :)
Blessings,
Karen
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteAll writers cut, erase and delete! Maybe the keyboard can tell more?
Hope your MIL gets well soon.
Nas
Like many, I'm glad for the delete button. Use it often and need it often. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings to your dear mother-in-law. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
I don't know when Memorial Day is celebrated. But lots of happiness to you when that day arrives. xx
So true!
ReplyDeleteI was terrible about deleting my "perfect" words in the beginning. Now I know better! Slash and burn!
Thinking of your mother-in-law.
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteI've probably deleted a full manuscript's worth of words.
Praying for your mother-in-law's recovery and strength for you.
Blessings,
Susan
Nas,
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess we all do, and you're right, the stories the keyboard could tell! Oh my. Thanks, mil is improving.
Dorothy,
Yes, so thankful! She is doing better, prayers appreciated! Memorial Day is Monday, so thank you! If you celebrate it too, have a lovely one as well. Hugs to you!
Theresa,
I know it! Thought my prose was perfect too. Guess we've learned a bit on the journey, you think? Thanks, mil is doing better.
Susan,
Since you've written several manuscripts and then some, I would think that's possible! Thanks for your prayers. :)
Blessings,
Karen
Hugs and positive thoughts for you MIL.
ReplyDeleteRiya
Backspace? Absolutely! Enjoy spending time with your family & I'll pray for speedy healing for your mother-in-law! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAs the proverbial saing goes, if I could count the number of times I backspace and delete or correct, I'd be at least a billionaire. :) All I can say is thank God I have backspace and delete keys.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wonderful posts. They make me think. :)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
_________________________
MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA
www.maryanndiorio.com
www.thewritepower.blogspot.com
Best of luck with your mother in law, and everyone have yourselves a great memorial day weekend. Richard
ReplyDeleteLove this, Karen!
ReplyDeleteI cut, delete, backspace, and use that cute little back arrow A LOT.
Have a great rest, if you can call it that. I hope your mom in law recovers quickly. She is blessed to have you help care for her.
Jen
Oh, the words I have deleted! LOL
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your MIL--hope she recovers swiftly.
Angela
Hope you have a great holiday week-end.
ReplyDeleteLee
A Faraway View
Oh my - can't believe I missed this news. Prayers for your mom in law and enjoy your time away.
ReplyDeleteKaren - Backspace is my middle name.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with your mother in law.
TRUE!
ReplyDeleteRiya,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! :)
Maria,
Yes, we would be in trouble if that button were missing from the keyboard! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
MaryAnn,
Oh, we would all be rich, wouldn't we? We need to set something up like that! :) Thanks for your kind words!
Richard,
Thank you; she's feeling better. Have a great weekend!
Jen,
Thank you. :) It IS a cute little arrow, isn't it? Thank you, not really a rest but I'll take one another time.
Angela,
If it's anything like the number I've deleted, it's a lot! :) Thanks for your kind thoughts.
Lee,
Thank you, you too
Annie,
Don't even worry about it! Thanks for your prayers!
Nancy,
Ha, I know what you mean! Thanks so much!
Laura,
Don't I know it! :)
Happy weekend,
Karen
I don't think you can be a writer and not backspace/delete/change your words.
ReplyDeleteI backspace and delete a lot as I write. More than I just go back and chop and delete when I go to edit.
ReplyDeleteHope your mother-in-law is recovering well.
Have a nice weekend!
For me now,Backspace,cut, delete, it's like talking about time.
ReplyDeleteHope your mother in law will be ok.
Karen, I'm sorry about your mother-in-law, and I pray that she has a quick and easy recovery.
ReplyDeleteAs far as erasing, all I can say is I am SO grateful that I live in the post-white-out period.
Blessings,
Jean
Ciara,
ReplyDeleteThis is true. Unless you write perfectly first time around. Okay, so that never happens! :)
Jennifer,
I do that too. It just comes with the territory! Mil is doing alright, thanks so much.
Fedo,
Nice to meet you! Thanks for commenting and following! Thanks also for your kind words about my mil.
Jean,
Thank you, she is making some progress, so that's a good thing. Love that - post white out period! Yes, I even remember erasable typing paper when I was in high school. I just dated myself, didn't I? :)
Blessings all,
Karen
I backspace and delete so much I don't want to think about it. You have a great blog.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Back space is like a feedback mechanism to keep editing till the final version is ready:)
ReplyDeleteI delete and rearrange words all the time. Especially after walking away from my writing for a day. Often, a sentence reads much differently with a fresh pair of eyes.
ReplyDeleteI wish your mother-in-law a speedy recovery.
Be well. :-)
Oh my, I don't even want to think about how much I delete! Eeek!
ReplyDeleteGina,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Enjoyed my stop at your blog. :)
Rahul,
Well said! What would we do without it, right?
Janette,
Good point! Time away can be so helpful; fresh eyes are a good thing. :)
Talli,
Yes, if we only could have a bit of money for each time, we would indeed be rich, right? lol
Blessings,
Karen