Editors Block?

[M R Mortimer]

Do you get it? I tend to almost never get writers block - I just have too much to say... However, I DO get editors block, at the point when I have spent more time on a work in editing and tweaking at one time than is psychologically healthy, I will find myself needing to drop it and back away as to look at another page would burn my eyes. At that time, I can't edit. I read the same few words over, and over and over.... I can't focus on the task anymore.

It's worse than writers block because the end is so tantalizingly close! so instead of stepping back, you force yourself, and then you start to lose the love of your story because you make it a chore. Thats usually when I hand it all over to the editor for a few days and say "fix it"... My editor knows to just hold it, make some minor corrections maybe, and wait. Then when I go back I can start over and knuckle into it.

Do you have a few tips or tricks you use in this situation?

[fleamailman]

("...yes, I understand the problem well..." mentioned the goblin, adding "...but I must admit my that my works are more like individual paintings, and as such I do my editing by exhibiting them across forums, retouching where the need be, and admittedly, it would all be an awful chore it wasn't for the fact that it often creates a flattering hitcount while attracting those who would wish to converse/exhibit with me, so neither writer's block nor editor's elbow actually stops me now...")

[AnyaKimlun]

Not really, but then I love editing my novel.

For me it is when the story becomes its best, and I start to really get a kick out of reading it. In the past few days my story has become something I would happily take down from the bookshop shelf.

In someways it is more of a drag, because I want to write new words and spend time characters when I am having to be more objective and ignore them. (Even though after 8 rewrites and 2 edits I let them insert another subplot, but it has been worth it).

[StoryWeaver]

I know exactly what you mean, I ALWAYS have to take a break or I'll skip over something important. After reading a certain piece I wrote a couple times I'll start to subconciously skip paragraphs since I know exactly what happens, and that usually leads to missing something. Most of the time I'll work on another piece and let the original sit for a little while, then I'll read it with a fresh perspective.

[auburnivory]

Yeah I totally get this - not when editing other's works (which is good seeing as it's my job!) but that's different because you're looking at something fresh. When you're going over your own words you're just so used to hem and it's much easier to get frustrated at yourself. Familiarity, contempt, etc etc...

[Gaines]

..an eight ball, two hookers and a hot tub take care of my editors block quite nicely. ..and it clears up the sinus!