“E” is for…

Edit.

“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.”
― Shannon Hale

That four letter word that I actually enjoy.  It’s the editing phase that teaches me the most about being a better writer and a better person.  It’s the refining process that turns tarnished metal into gold.

When my stepdaughter was an elementary teacher, she took a writing class for needed earned credits.  In that class the instructor told the participants never to use red ink when correcting papers because it was too harsh.  They were told to use any color but red.

That got me thinking how far back it is ingrained in kids to fear the correction–or editing–process, and how it frequently carries into adulthood.

I read about a process called story editing in which small changes in one’s own life stories and memories help with emotional health.  My bet is it doesn’t use a red pen.  It includes making small changes in how one interprets life events, and essentially taking control over that which once controlled you.

Today I will wear red, as a color of power rather than dread and fear, and I will rewrite–and edit–the color for what it is.  Vibrant and beautiful! 🙂

Peace.