Once upon a time, columnist Red Smith was asked if writing a daily column was a difficult task for a writer. Red’s answer? A deadpanned “Why, no. You simply sit down at the typewriter, open your veins, and bleed.” *

And that is why writers hate edits so much. The End.

But seriously, I start off edits in a great frame of mind. I’ve got my editor’s fresh eyes looking over my work making sure all of the commas are in place and the pronouns are all correct. But some time during the editing process, the nice girl in me sort of…snaps and out pops this somewhat crazed, self-important ogre who can’t believe that there’s anyone alive that can’t see how brilliant that word choice really is. I mean, isnt it obvious? (Deep breath).

Ahem…What I mean to say is, writers are an insecure breed.  It’s hard to write a piece, even the less personal fiction, and put it out there for the world to see. Even harder when the ”world’ has a red felt-tipped pen. (Or Track Changes.)

But ‘putting it out there’ is a necessary part of the writing process. Most writers dream of being published. And being published means editors, which means edits, which means that ogre is going to show up now and again.

So when you see that post on Facebook or Twitter about your favorite author going through edits, be sure to hit the” like” button. Show them a little support and help them keep the ogre at bay.

BTW–I’m in edits right now, so I’d appreciate it if you would “like” this post. Please and thank you! :)

* taken from http://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/09/14/writing-bleed/