The
process starts with me finding an article that I find interesting (or God is
telling me to use). It has the potential to meet the core value of this weblog
by encouraging, inspiring, challenging, educating, or entertaining the reader.
Once
the article is copied onto a Word document and saved into my “New Blog” folder
on my thumb drive; I remove all pictures (and advertisements). I then change
all the words to an Arial font size eighteen (in black color), and remove all
bold print, italics, and underline. This would be my default print.
By
this time, the article has lost its prior identity. It has been saved several
times, and is in a jumbled raw form. At this point, I copy the article title
(and author). It goes at the bottom of the document for future use. The top of
the article is left blank for the new title, which helps to anchor the theme
for this edited piece.
Sources
used for inventing an original heading could either be the on-line phrase
thesaurus or BrainyQuotes. If I choose a cliché, I look up the meaning
(and copy that information to the bottom of the document).
I
truly enjoy the editing process. I’ve done it so many times since 2014 (that I
just know what should go and stay). I am editing for clarity, brevity (as I
know your time is precious), repetition, and wordiness.
I’m
a big stickler on making sure my grammar and spelling are accurate. I have no
issue illuminating anything with my bracketed words (when needed).
Once
that is done; formatting happens. This involves providing proper spacing (and paragraphs),
adding bold print, italics, and underline back in where it is appropriate.
Numbering could be added in at this stage (if it is needed). The information at
the bottom is incorporated into endnotes (or erased).
Additional
quotes and scripture (from Bible Gateway)
could be added here also if I feel it is needed. (Something inside me knows
what the article needs at this phase to make it complete.)
I
make sure the notes at the bottom are in a Calibri font (size sixteen) so they
are large enough to be read. All quotes and verses are made to look the same as
the rest of article. (Scriptures are always in italics so they stand out from everything
else.)
The
document is saved under one word from the heading in the “New Blog” folder. The
question for the post reminder from Facebook
is written at this time when my mind is fresh with this newly edited
article.
It
is saved under the same name (with a two added). As you know by now, I love
using quotes with my questions. My question and post stay together (until it’s
time for their entrance on ENCOURAGE ME).
I
like to place all that is ready to post on Google
Blogger in draft form so I can publish as the mood happens. (As of this
writing, I have over two weeks of posts waiting for their chance to shine).
I
usually try to post from oldest to the newest. Exceptions always can always
through this order off if I feel the Heavenly Father needs me to post a
specific item. (This process keeps me busy. When would I have time for a paying
job?)
ü “I don't like writing.
It's so difficult to say what you mean. It's much easier to edit other people's
writing and help them say what they mean.”[ii]
ü “And the most
important thing you can do is learn to edit yourself. And then go back and
rewrite.”[iii]
[i] The title of this post is adapted
from this quote by Arthur Plotnik. "You
write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what's burning inside
you, and we edit to let the fire show through the smoke."
[ii] Quote by Robert
Gottlieb
[iii] Quote by Kurt Loder
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