Thank you; it might be hard to not name names to provide
examples, although I could certainly speak more generally and
attempt to avoid implying any one in particular.
My problem is this: I write as I go along; I save my writings
for a "someday" that some magical editor will come by,
reorganize my words in a proper format that has logical
progression, a standard conclusion, initial argument, bulleted
points; all the expected norms of what is considered a "well
written piece".
But editing? I can't. I couldn't do it in school. First draft
and final revision were always the same.
If I ever stick to the format of a well written article, it's
likely by accident; I write what I think as I write, out it
comes, I send it off and there it is.
I'm really more of a poet-by-nature who is forcing himself to
write in prose. I could sum up all of my arguments in a poem far
more easily than an article if I let myself.
Frustrating for me, really. I see the format and can't get past
the skeletal constructions of it within which I am to present my
arguments.
I've always said "I need an editor". Tried learning it myself;
some cognitive block prevents me from revisiting and modifying
what I've said before.
After all, when you speak, out it comes. Can you put the
toothpaste back into the tube? Nope. It's out there. Writing for
me is squeezing toothpaste out of a tube except it hardens,
instantly stuck to the sink and whenever I attempt to
reconfigure the shape it is in will break it.
