Trying to edit a finished story
What finished story are you still trying to edit?
The Journal Circle
In the Journal Circle, we spent 5 minutes responding to this prompt in writing. We needed time to think about what the question might be asking. At first glance, it might imply a criticism (being unable to let something go) or an attempt to control something that is now set in stone. But on reflection, there might be additional ways to approach this one. For example…
- Rewriting motives or intentions
- Competing for control of the narrative
- Attempting to change someone
- Wishing things had worked out differently
- Giving meaning to an unexpected event
Where does your mind initially go with this question? Have a play with it and let it inspire something creative.
Ways to use this prompt
You might have an intuitive sense of how you want to respond to the prompt. In which case, go for it. If you’re feeling stuck or you’d like to open it up further, try one of the following…
A Journal Practice
If you have a journal practice (or you’d like to start one), use these questions to prompt your reflections. Set a timer or a word count and write freely within that limitation. If you’re struggling to get started, break the question down and try free association with its different aspects.
A Playful Experiment
Remember that no one is watching. The aim isn’t to produce a finished result. Rather, it’s about giving yourself permission to play with forms and ideas. It’s a playful workout for your creative muscles. Something that, like physical exercise, benefits you across different areas and seasons of life over time.
And as with physical exercise, success is about showing up and consistently going through the motions.
The more freedom we experience in that way, the more open we become to seeing, experimenting, and connecting the dots. Creativity is not the same as productivity!
Play Safe
Notice what helps you feel safe and free to play. I know some people who give themselves permission to burn or shred their work afterwards. Its temporality lets perfectionism and any anxiety about others seeing it fall away. You might use particular frames that keep it low-stakes and experimental.
Play Prompts
Here are some example starting points. Use them as inspiration to get you going and adapt with them as you go…
Rewrite it as a news report
Write what’s happening with this finished story from the perspective of a third-party news report.
Record a voice note
Hit record on your voice memo app and start talking. Don’t plan. Just let whatever comes out do so. Afterwards, consider whether there was anything surprising you might like to note and explore further.
Capture only the shadows
Draw, photograph, or describe the shadows. Where is the light? What might be found in the darkness?
Zoom out
Look at the finished story from further away. Does this help you edit it (or leave it be)?
Leave it there
This question was inspired by our current season’s theme, “Leave it there“.
Is there something you want to leave behind? Do you want to get better at letting things go? Or maybe, the opposite, persisting with important things even when others tell you to drop it. Have you stumbled across something left somewhere, deliberately or accidentally? Do you want to leave nice things for others to discover? Maybe you’d like to get better at spotting and ignoring bait that others want you to react to. Or you want to trust your preparation and know when something is good enough, rather than sabotaging it through overpreparation.
It’s a phrase that offers a wide range of possible interpretations and angles.
We are creating this season’s Coming To Our Senses zine around this theme. It would be great to have you involved in some way, big or small! Send me a message if you’d like to explore what that might look like with me.
Share Your Discoveries
If you would like to share an experiment, creation, musings, questions, or discoveries with us in The Haven, add a post on the Activity Feed. It would be lovely to see what you’ve been up to! No pressure, of course.
