Editing While Writing vs. Editing After The Story Is Written
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
Release Date: 06/09/2026
You Don't Have To Remember Everything To Write Your Story
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
Have you ever thought about writing your story and immediately stopped yourself because you don’t remember enough? Maybe you remember the big moments, but not the dates. Maybe entire years feel fuzzy. Maybe you remember what happened but can’t recall the exact conversation. Or maybe you’ve compared memories with a sibling and discovered the two of you remember the same event very differently. Here’s the good news: You don’t have to remember everything to write your story. In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, I’m continuing my series inspired...
info_outline
How To Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where To Begin
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.” — Martin Luther King Jr. You know you have a story to tell. You may have carried it with you for years. You’ve thought about writing it. You may have even told pieces of it to friends or family. But then you sit down in front of a blank page…and nothing comes. In this episode of The Edit, I’m answering a question from listener Jackson, who asked how to begin writing his story when, no matter how hard he tries, he simply can’t seem to get anything onto the page. And Jackson is definitely not alone. Beginning...
info_outline
Sharing Your Story - Why Ordinary Stories Matter
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou What if the most meaningful part of your vacation wasn't the destination... but the people you met? After returning from Cozumel, Mexico, Holly realized she wasn't thinking about the beaches, the restaurants, or the excursions. She was thinking about the people she met—and the stories they shared. A grandfather whose family grew out of unimaginable loss. A young man whose passion for his hometown reminded her that stories bridge cultures. A hardworking waitress whose quiet determination challenged every...
info_outline
Book Publishing, Editing, and Protecting Your Voice
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
"You are the actor or actress in your story... but it's not just for you." — Lesley George Last week, bestselling publisher and confidence coach Lesley George reminded us that every person has a story with power, a voice with purpose, and a message that can create movement. This week, we continue that conversation by exploring what happens after you decide to write. We talk about the publishing journey, the fears many writers carry into the editing process, and why the right publishing team should protect your voice—not replace it. One of the most powerful moments in this conversation...
info_outline
Authentic Storytelling, Writing Confidence, and Finding Your Voice with Lesley George
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
"Every person has a story with power, a voice with purpose, and a message that can create movement when it is used with courage and clarity." — Lesley George What gives us permission to tell our stories? For many writers, it isn't a lack of ideas that keeps them stuck—it's a lack of confidence. We question whether our stories matter, whether anyone will care, or whether we're qualified to write the book that's been on our hearts. In this first half of my conversation with bestselling publisher, confidence coach, and founder of Mosaic Publishing, Lesley George, we explore the connection...
info_outline
How To Read Your Book Like an Editor
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
"Easy reading is damn hard writing." — Nathaniel Hawthorne Finishing your first draft is a huge accomplishment—but it's not the finish line. It's the beginning of revision. In last week's episode, we celebrated typing The End. This week, we're opening that manuscript again and answering one of the biggest questions every writer eventually asks: "Where do I even start?" The answer may surprise you. Most writers immediately begin fixing grammar, rewriting sentences, and polishing paragraphs. But that's like choosing paint colors before you've decided whether the walls belong where they are....
info_outline
You Finished Your First Draft - Now What?
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
Finishing your first draft is one of the biggest accomplishments in a writer's journey. Yet for many writers, those two words—The End—don't bring relief. They bring uncertainty. Now what? Do you start editing immediately? Rewrite the first chapter? Send it to beta readers? Hire an editor? Or quietly close the document because you're afraid of what you'll find? In this episode of The Edit, Holly walks you through what should happen after your first draft is complete—and why the space between finishing your manuscript and beginning revisions may be one of the most valuable parts of the...
info_outline
What a Third-Grade Story Stand Taught Me About Writing, Editing, and Voice
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
What can two third-grade girls, a card table, and a stack of handwritten stories teach us about writing? More than you might think. In this episode of The Edit, Holly shares a childhood memory that helped shape her beliefs about storytelling, editing, and authentic voice long before she knew those words would become part of her career. Back in the 1970s, Holly and her best friend, Anne Marie, opened a "Story Stand" in their neighborhood. Instead of selling lemonade, they sold stories—fiction, nonfiction, poems, and even custom-written tales based on customer requests. Looking back, Holly...
info_outline
8 Lessons in Writing, Editing, and Publishing
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
In this special bonus episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly takes a step back from her conversation with author Hadley Kibbe to explore the writing, editing, and publishing lessons hidden within Hadley's story. While Hadley's books were inspired by ranch life, motherhood, faith, and her son, the lessons behind her writing journey apply to every writer—whether you're working on a children's book, memoir, devotional, business book, blog, or personal story. Holly breaks down eight powerful lessons that every writer can use to create more authentic, meaningful...
info_outline
Writing From The Heart: Faith, Family, And Finding Your Voice
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
What happens when a ranch-raised cowgirl, rodeo competitor, songwriter, photographer, wife, mother, and follower of Jesus decides to write books for her son? In this heartfelt conversation, Holly sits down with Hadley Ann Kibbe, a former student-turned-author whose life is deeply rooted in faith, family, and the Western way of life. Together, they explore the stories behind The Cow Kid Series, the lessons motherhood has taught her, and why perfection should never stand in the way of sharing your story. Hadley shares how her experiences growing up on a ranch, competing in rodeo, becoming a...
info_outlineHave you ever sat down to write and spent more time deleting words than actually putting them on the page?
You're not alone.
In this episode of The Edit, Holly explores one of the most common habits that keeps writers stuck: editing while they write. While it may feel productive, constantly revising, rewriting, and second-guessing every sentence can quietly prevent a story from ever being told.
Holly discusses the difference between writing and editing, why trying to do both at the same time creates frustration, and how inviting your inner editor into the process too early can lead to fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt.
Drawing on her experience as a writer and an editor, Holly shares a personal story about the role her mother played in helping her recognize when she had overthought her writing and lost her authentic voice.
You'll learn:
• Why writing and editing require different mindsets
• How self-editing during drafting can create fear and hesitation
• What first drafts are actually supposed to accomplish
• The true role of a professional editor
• Why many writers mistake editor overload for writer's block
• A simple exercise to help you write more freely
If you've ever felt stuck, frustrated, or unable to move forward with your manuscript, this episode will remind you that messy writing isn't bad writing—it's often where the best stories begin.
Featured Quote
"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on."
— Louis L'Amour
Key Takeaways
- Writing is creation; editing is refinement.
- First drafts are meant to be messy.
- Self-editing too early can silence your authentic voice.
- Perfectionism often disguises itself as productivity.
- A good editor strengthens your message without changing who you are.
- Blank pages can't be edited, but messy pages can.
- The strongest stories often begin with the freedom to write imperfectly.
Voice Check
Ask yourself:
Am I trying to discover the story right now… or polish it?
Those are two very different jobs.
This Week's Writing Challenge
Set a timer for five minutes and write without:
- Rereading previous paragraphs
- Fixing grammar
- Changing wording
- Hitting backspace
Just write.
Then ask yourself:
- Was it easy or difficult?
- Did anything surprise you?
- Did your writing feel different when you stopped editing?
Connect with Holly
Enjoying the show?
Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another writer who may be stuck in the editing loop.
Because your story deserves the chance to breathe before it gets polished.
Email Holly at writelynotable@gmail.com or go to her website
https://www.writelynotable.com
Remember
Your story without your voice is only words.