If I had only known

Words written: 33,148           Currently Reading: Taking a breather

Photo by Chuck "Caveman" Coker

There are so many times when I wish I had known then what I know now. This sentiment is quite prevalent, so I am convinced you can relate. There are two ways this can go. Either you file it away for next time and let the past lie, or–and this is where I find myself–what you have learned is so integral to success of the project that you have to go back and rework everything that has already been done. This is when I break out the super SIGH. But I shall not be defeated! No way.

And this brings another thought to mind. There are so many things that you just can’t learn in theory. In theory I know how it should work, but that certainly doesn’t preclude making mistake after agonizing mistake before it finally clicks and theory becomes practice. I mean, I know exactly how to throw a baseball…in theory… and for a while there I was pretty good. But it has been so long I just end up throwing it into the dirt. And then there is the often over used comment “it’s just like riding a bike”. I have ridden a bike after years without riding. It wasn’t pretty. Granted I got back up to speed much faster than the first time I learned, but still, there is a period of terror involved in relearning something.

But I digress. What I have learned is that you learn your craft by doing. That as you do, you learn new things, and if you are in the middle of something long and involved–like say a novel–then you just may have to reapply your new knowledge to your past work. Hence the arduous editing process, right? Sigh. Editing is going to be so much more involved now. Ah well, it’s the game we play, and truthfully, I am loving every minute.