Yes, edit, edit, edit!

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Hi Everyone,

I just discovered the Quick Draft feature on WordPress on my cellphone, and it’s like finding a small, sunlit clearing in the middle of a dense forest. Then I checked it out on my WordPress blog dashboard. Quick Draft lets you quickly jot down thoughts right from your dashboard, without worrying about formatting or extra options. (What Is Quick Draft in WordPress?, 2024) If you want to try it, just look for the Quick Draft widget on your WordPress dashboard. If it’s not already there, you can enable it by going to the Screen Options menu at the top right and checking the Quick Draft box. (What Is Quick Draft in WordPress?, 2024) It’s made for quick bursts of inspiration, capturing ideas before they slip away.

Whenever I try to write, WordPress distracts me with its frequent updates and changes. What should be a simple process becomes technical, and I end up spending more time understanding the platform than actually expressing my thoughts. This ongoing struggle makes creating much harder than it needs to be.

One mindset shift that helps me is setting a timer for 30 minutes, turning off notifications, and focusing solely on writing down words, saving technical tweaks for later. Allowing myself to create first and edit afterward helps me ignore distractions and stay connected to my original idea.

One thing that helps me is switching to full-screen or distraction-free mode in WordPress. When I hide the extra menus, I can focus better on my ideas and ignore the clutter. I also find that closing extra browser tabs or windows really helps me stay focused. Sometimes, I write in MS Word or Google Docs, edit there, and then use tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid. I’ve hired a human editor before, but it was too expensive for me to do regularly.

The grammar book demands that we constantly optimize our thoughts before they even hit the page. There is something soul-restoring about a space for the raw and unrefined. It raises the age-old writer’s dilemma: do I polish these words until they shine, or let them sit in their beautiful, messy honesty?

For me, I usually start by letting my thoughts flow without holding back, trying not to correct or filter myself in the first draft. Once the ideas are out, I return later and shape them, making edits only after the initial burst of creativity is done. This way, I try to honour the original spark while still making room for improvements.

Often, the most vibrant truths are captured on the fly before the inner critic has a chance to tidy the room. I remember once, while waiting for a friend at a coffee shop, I scribbled a poem on the back of a napkin. I had a sudden rush of words I hadn’t planned. I typed it out later that evening and was surprised by how raw and honest it felt, needing only a few edits. That quick moment remains one of my favourite pieces, reminding me how valuable those spontaneous sparks can be.

I wonder how other writers handle this choice in their own creative process. Do you prefer to edit as you go, or do you let your ideas flow first and shape them later? I would love to hear how you approach this balance and what works best for you.

For now, I think I’ll leave the delete and rework keys alone and just enjoy the simple thought that was allowed to remain exactly as it first arrived.

Thanks for reading. It’s a joy to share the journey with you. Stay inspired and stay human.🤩

References

(2024). What Is Quick Draft in WordPress?. WPBeginner. https://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/quick-draft/