In my journey as a writer, I’ve encountered a ton of advice. One piece that keeps cropping up is “don’t edit while you write.” The rationale is clear: especially for those in the early stages of their writing journey, focusing on editing during the first draft can be counterproductive. It can slow you down and even lead to the dreaded writer’s block.

So, this advice is gold if you aim to complete that elusive first draft, or if you’ve been grappling with finishing your drafts.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting – it doesn’t quite work for me. In the course of my last two book projects, I began experimenting with editing as I went along, and the results were surprising.

Every writing session now involves not only adding new words to the page but also a quick review of what I wrote earlier. This helps me to keep a sharp eye on the evolving thread of the story and fine-tune my characters’ voices on the fly.

Of course, this approach may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s absolutely fine. What works for one writer may not work for another, and the key is to find the rhythm and technique that suits you best.

So, don’t be afraid to experiment and make your writing process your own. Don’t blindly follow advice, even if it’s well-meaning. Test the waters and see what clicks for you. After all, writing is an art, and the process is as unique as the stories we tell.