This is K. Amwiland and you are listening to the 4403 episode of the Helping Writers Become

Authors podcast.

This year has turned it to be a pretty crazy year for me.

Not only am I currently elbow deep in editing the first draft of one novel and trying to get another published in the

face of some new self-imposed challenges. I'm also dealing with a big move. That's coming right

up for me, so you may not see a new podcast for a couple weeks.

I have some guest posts and other things lined up on the website for the next two weeks.

So if you need a fix, be sure to stop by at helping writers become authors.com.

And then a brand new episode of the podcast should be back up and running by September 24th.

After today's episode, I will see you on the other side. And now I hope you

enjoy today's topic. Do you have sloppy writing habits and four things to do

about it. The question I want to ask today is whether sloppy

writing habits are a deterrent to success, a natural and unavoidable part of

the creative process, both or neither.

I have never met a writer, myself included, who didn't suffer from sloppy writing habits.

These habits fall into a number of categories, everything from sloppy handwriting to sloppy writing processes to sloppy writing techniques.

Sloppy is an inherently negative word that reeks of frustrated parents

cajoling, unwashed teenagers to impose order on their personal bat

caves.

And yet, sloppiness also seems kind of inherent to all things creative.

Indeed, some researchers have gone so far as to famously insist, a messy desk is a sign of genius.

Naturally, as a neat freak, I take exception to this. I like order and schedules.

...