It’s a dilemma I deal with every time I write a blog post: do I write freely and not take hours poring over my grammar and choice of wording or do I edit my posts to death? To be persnickety or not to be persnickety? That is the question. I wonder how persnickety Shakespeare was? Then again, he probably had an editor.
Seriously, I’d love to be able to just write and release. But for the interests of my writing career, should I have a paid one one day, I demand perfection (or near perfection) from myself. After all, I never know who’s going to come looking. Perhaps someone famous or even better, someone who can get my proverbial foot in the door of the publishing industry will visit my blog. A line or two is all it takes to make an impression, and I want it to be a good one.
I know I’ve asked this question before, but it’s been at least a year so I think I’ll ask again. Who knows, maybe those who have already answered have changed their practices. Oh, the question? It’s this:
How many times, on average, do you edit a post before you hit the publish button? And how do you do your best editing – in the window you write in, or the preview? If I didn’t have the preview screen I’m sure my posts would all be a mess. What I really want to know is, how persnickety are you?
The “Persnickety” prompt is brought to you by Sirius Bizinus at his new home, An Empty Pen. Make sure you go say hi!
To find the rules for Just Jot It January, click here and join in today. It’s never too late! And don’t forget to ping back your January 1st post here!
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January 3, 2016 at 2:07 am
As an aspiring writer myself I totally agree with you that whatever you have written on your site should be spick and span. Unfortunately, I’m also the kind of person who presses publish way too soon and then spends the next day or two going back and editing bits and pieces here and there. Very annoying!
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January 3, 2016 at 9:32 am
Oh, I hate having to do that! And I feel inordinately embarrassed too! Thanks for the comment, Sue. 🙂
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January 2, 2016 at 11:13 pm
I tend to revise at least twice in my word processor (that’s where I set up all my posts). I also use templates for all my regular features, so, when I know those parts that don’t change are OK, I don’t have to focus on them.
I review at least once more while pulling together the links, videos, and images for each post, and then preview and tweak when I think I’m done.
And I still miss things…
I just hope that anyone reading my blog will overlook a few mistakes, especially given the volume of posts I publish, and the content density of those posts.
I give a lot to my blogging – and more to my writing, and my family I’ve never claimed to be an editor, and I named my blog Lovely Chaos, so I don’t think I’m promising a level of perfection I can’t measure up to without taking from other important areas of my life.
My approach? I do due diligence, publish, and move on with my life. If I catch something, and I’ve got the time and focus available, I’ll pop in and fix it – but I’m a human, and humans err sometimes…
My opinion is that, with your ‘In Progress’ titles, you’re not advertising perfection either. I’d say do what’s reasonable, and doesn’t make you nuts. And then, take a deep breath, and let it go out into the world, even if it’s got a zit or two….
You know, I think you’ve just given me my ROW80 sponsor post! THANKS!!!!!! =D
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January 2, 2016 at 11:18 pm
Haha! You’re welcome. 🙂 Putting it the way you have, when you think about it, it’s the imperfections in something like a quilt that makes it special. Let’s think of writing like that, eh? 😉
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January 8, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Actually, I was thinking of quilts when I wrote that comment! =)
I see it like this – I’m human. Humans aren’t perfect. I don’t need to be perfect – in life, in blogging, or in writing.
I just need to do my best, then move on.
My goal is to communicate – honestly, but n0t necessarily perfectly. =)
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January 2, 2016 at 2:13 am
The perfect is the enemy of the good. When editing for perfection, in hopes of impressing that one particular person who will help your career consider that that person’s idea of perfection will have to match yours in order for it to be effective. “Good” is more of a mutual perception. But that’s just my opinion.
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January 2, 2016 at 12:51 pm
This is true. Correct grammar and spelling go a long way, however, to prevent distraction of what might be good.
On the other hand, even spelling can’t please everyone; we can only honour our favourite ways… 😉
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January 1, 2016 at 10:52 pm
http://www.eclecticevelyn.com/just-jot-thru-jan/
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January 1, 2016 at 10:41 pm
http://fromthecsweet.com/2016/01/01/wishing-you-a-magical-year/
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January 1, 2016 at 9:49 pm
http://rhymeswithbug.com/2016/01/Persnickety
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January 1, 2016 at 4:23 pm
I don’t post that often – maybe three times a week. Probably because I am persnickety! About 10 drafts per post.
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January 1, 2016 at 11:04 pm
10? You’re worse than me! Haha! Thanks for sharing, Jan. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 3:55 pm
http://finallyawriter.com/2016/01/01/just-jot-it-january-january-01-2016-medication/
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January 1, 2016 at 3:22 pm
Using my phone for everything (and using Swype™ to type) really necessitates me editing as I go along, especially with predictive text, after which I usually do one read-through to pick up any punctuation and publish straight away.
I find any tinkering after the post is finished usually just spoils it, so everything you see is almost always written in one draft with no extra edits.
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January 1, 2016 at 10:31 pm
I’ve never heard of Swype, but writing posts with your phone sounds frustrating enough without predictive text. What kind of masochist are you?!
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January 2, 2016 at 6:43 am
I’m an Android ninja, I can do anything on my phone
And this is Swype – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swype
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January 1, 2016 at 1:45 pm
https://idiotwriting.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/try-again/
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January 1, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Correction! I don’t know how that “with” got in there. It must be gremlins. Sorry.
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January 1, 2016 at 1:32 pm
First, I write it down in longhand, editing as I go, and then type it for publishing. I believe it is a courtesy to one’s readers to write as correctly as possible.
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January 1, 2016 at 3:36 pm
I believe so too – errors can be very distracting. So can gremlins! Haha! Would you like me to edit your comment for you? 😉
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January 1, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Of course!
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January 1, 2016 at 8:58 pm
Done. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 1:12 pm
http://johnwhowell.com/2016/01/01/friday-johnku-aka-tgif-41/
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January 1, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Did a post. Don’t know where the ping went. Sooner or later I’ll figure this out.
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January 1, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Found the problem: when you link my site in general but don’t link to a particular post, there’s no ping back at all. I’ll post a link for you. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 3:05 pm
So I have to wait for yours to publish?
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January 1, 2016 at 3:26 pm
The plan is to have my post scheduled for 2am every day, so unless you write your post a day early, you should be okay. IF you do write it a day early, you can link to the Rules post and I’ll do what I did today.
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January 1, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Okay. I do the posts a day ahead. Seems like a lot of work for you though.
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January 1, 2016 at 8:36 pm
How about this: If you come to my blog and read my post for the day before I get to yours just drop a link in the comments manually. That would help a great deal and again, more people will see your link. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 8:39 pm
Why don’t I do that every day and you won’t have to do the work. I’ll just drop my link in your comments and we’ll be done. :-).
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January 1, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Sounds great! Thanks so much, John. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 8:46 pm
🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 11:17 am
http://aaronelmore.co.uk/2016/01/01/just-jot-january-day-1-persnickety/
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January 1, 2016 at 11:06 am
https://debwashere.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/to-living-life-fully/
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January 1, 2016 at 10:54 am
https://fortyandfantastique.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/meilleurs-voeux/
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January 1, 2016 at 10:51 am
https://cornerofconfessions.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/persnickety/
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January 1, 2016 at 10:33 am
https://adarkenedhouse.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/persnickety/
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January 1, 2016 at 10:12 am
http://masterselftherapy.com/just-jot-it-january-2016-jusjojan/
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January 1, 2016 at 9:35 am
I’m quite persnickety! My last post went through 13 revisions! I’m like you, Linda. I want my writing to be the best it can be because you just never know who might be reading it. But I also edit a lot because I think it’s only fair to my readers, new and old. It hurts my head to read anything that has typos and even minor grammatical errors so I assume it would bother other readers. Not to say that mistakes won’t still sneak through. I use the Preview as well, but even with multiple revisions, a misplaced comma or misspelled word will slip through. I’m a perfectionist at heart, but I try to have my limits. (That said, I even reviewed and revised this comment.) Happy New Year, Linda!
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January 1, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Haha! Yeah, I’m a bit persnickety with my comments too. They’re more likely to end up with an error than my blog posts though. 😛
Happy New Year to you and yours as well, Marie! 😀
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January 1, 2016 at 9:27 am
I’m a born worrier, so I edit a good many times before I publish. The problem is, the next time I read my post again on my site, I always, always, always find mistakes, clumsy turns of phrase, questionable punctuation or whatever. I just can’t seem to avoid it.
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January 1, 2016 at 11:00 pm
I find that with older posts. If I read them again within a month they’re always still good. Weird, eh? 😛
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January 1, 2016 at 11:08 pm
You may just be a more careful writer than I am. There’s bound to be less to correct if there are fewer slips to begin with. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 11:24 pm
It’s rare that I write a sentence without making a mistake, whether on a keyboard or with a pen. My head gets ahead of my fingers. 😛
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January 1, 2016 at 11:31 pm
I have a similar problem. In my case, it often seems that my fingers are more interested in writing a different post of their own. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 11:32 pm
Haha! Yeah, that happens too. 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 7:42 am
I used to be read and reread posts a million times. Now, I skim read it over once and hit publish. To be fair though, I haven’t written substance in a long while. I do find when I blog from my phone, I barely proof read. But when I blog from a computer I take my time, proof read like crazy and even write more substantial material.
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January 1, 2016 at 10:59 pm
I can’t get my head wrapped around blogging from a phone. Maybe it’s the touch-typist in me. 😛 Good that you’ve relaxed your ways somewhat though. I wish I could!
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January 1, 2016 at 7:16 am
It varies. Some posts, I don’t edit. Some, I mess with a little. Some go through draft after draft before ever seeing the preview window. I edit best when I print it out and tear at the words on paper. Happy new year Linda.
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January 1, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Wow, I’ve never gone as far as to print out a blog post. With a manuscript however, it’s a must to read it on paper.
Happy new year to you and yours as well, Dan! 🙂
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January 2, 2016 at 7:23 am
Old school 🙂 when I my to get it right, I print it out.
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January 2, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Right! 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 6:27 am
Unless I am doing SoCS or 1linerWeds, I edit several times per post. I do almost all my editing in the editor itself, although I do check the preview, especially if I have included links to make sure I have them put in properly. So I guess I’m pretty persnickety!
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January 1, 2016 at 4:05 pm
Links are impossible to be sure of in the editor – it’s so easy to make a boo boo. I find a lot more mistakes in general in the preview than in the editor for some reason.
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January 1, 2016 at 4:46 pm
I really wish there were an easy way to do indentations! It’s one of the things that drives me wild about the editor – that spaces disappear when it publishes. It’s especially hard when I want to put poems on my site.
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January 1, 2016 at 8:56 pm
I agree – the editor can be very frustrating! Have you tried writing in a word document and pasting to the WP editor? That might work.
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January 1, 2016 at 9:07 pm
I don’t have a Windows system and don’t use Word. I have been doing most of my poetry lately through google docs. I’ve had terrible luck trying to paste poems into the WP editor. It tends to erase all the editing and double space everything.
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January 1, 2016 at 9:08 pm
Even when you’re in text mode instead of visual? You’re using the old editor, right? I can’t stand the new one. 😛
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January 2, 2016 at 8:27 am
I’m using the new editor, but it doesn’t matter. Neither of them, in either mode, is WYSIWYG.
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January 2, 2016 at 9:05 am
Ugh. How frustrating. If I ever figure out a way to move stuff around, you’ll be the first person I tell.
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January 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Thanks, Linda!
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January 1, 2016 at 6:18 am
I am definitely not as persnickety as you are as regards to my blog. I tend to write it correcting as I go, then hit ‘publish.’ It is then I realise that I have made a mistake (if I’m lucky), and go to correct it. Otherwise, if I have not noticed it, it remains there in all its hideous glory for everyone to see!
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January 1, 2016 at 11:49 am
Haha! Oh to be as carefree as you are, my dear. 😀 It would drive me nuts if I had to edit after publishing!
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January 1, 2016 at 12:24 pm
I SHOULD be more pernickety actually, and safe myself some time later!:-)
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January 1, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Having to go back and fix things is very time-consuming, isn’t it?
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January 1, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Yes, it certainly is 🙂
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January 1, 2016 at 5:48 am
I think that Shakespeare (or any other famous writer for that matter),was very persnickety about his works, but I am sure he wrote a lot more freely in his personnel communications. But I am sure there is still a lot of literary merit to his letters to his dear Aunt Gertrude.
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January 1, 2016 at 11:12 am
Oh, more than likely. Can you imagine having received a letter from Shakespeare? You’d need a decipherer. 😛
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January 1, 2016 at 5:42 am
Hi Linda I do know exactly what you mean about checking and rechecking your work! I do check and recheck my work too! That is why I love the SoCs because I a not allowed to edit it.
I have just been back to my post for today and corrected a few things after reading yours !!!! I seem to do a lot of hasty editing just after posting !! even after using the preview.
Talking of today’s post Persnickety is not a used word here we tend to say Pernickety which means : : fussy, difficult to please, difficult, finicky, over-fastidious, fastidious, over-particular, particular, faddish, finical, dainty, punctilious, hair-splitting, exacting, demanding, critical, overcritical;. So what a difference an S makes.
Have a great day Linda and happy New Year to you and all of yours! <3xxxxxx
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January 1, 2016 at 10:42 am
I think pernickety and persnickety mean the same thing – at least I always thought so. 😛 And I agree – SoCS is great for not having to edit! It’s why I love it too – fast and easy. 😀
Happy New Year to you and yours too, Willow! 😀
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January 1, 2016 at 1:18 pm
😉
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January 1, 2016 at 3:14 am
PING! http://jolenemottern.com/2016/01/01/share-your-world-2015-52/
I hit Publish before you Would you mind to delete my other ping on your previous post?
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January 1, 2016 at 10:37 am
Thanks for including this here. Unfortunately if I delete the other one the ping won’t work so I’ll leave it there for now. I’m scheduling my posts for 2am the day of… if you can think of a better way to do this, let me know. Otherwise we’ll have to do it this way or, like I’m doing with other posts, I’ll link them back here myself. It’s a bit time consuming but there you go. 😛
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January 1, 2016 at 10:40 am
I think 2am is lovely. I never wake up before 2. 😉
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January 1, 2016 at 10:43 am
Oh I’m not up until 3. I’m very lazy that way. 😉
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January 1, 2016 at 3:12 am
I am not persnickety about posting. I generally open the window, have at it, read it through and publish. Then, I usually find at least one error, go back and fix it. When I write a blog post that’s over 1000 words, I usually ask for a proofreader. I just get sick of looking at it! Spacing issues are my worst enemy on WordPress, and depending on my level of tolerance, I will sometimes go into HTML and fix it.
I am persnickety about a lot of things, but it’s just a blog 😉
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January 1, 2016 at 10:19 am
You have a proofreader? How do I get one of those?!? hehe. Actually, I don’t think I’d have the patience to wait for someone else to read a post before I publish it. My novel takes up all the patience I have. 😛
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January 1, 2016 at 10:41 am
Hah!Literate friends make fabulous proofreaders…
…If you have the patience 😉
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