I don't know how scientifically proven this is, but apparently editing as you go along turns on the "critical mind" when it's the "creative mind" you want turned on for writing. But I often think of what to write next when I'm editing. It seems to slow me down and make me think more, rather than reaching a wall and staring at a blank page.
I'd agree with that 100%. When 'I' write, typically I let the story flow in a natural progression, keeping in mind the story and even each chapter's/leg's goal. Now, that's not saying that I might reach a point where an idea pops up or where I need to go back and 'alter' something to nudge it where I want... yet, for all intents and purposes, I write until the story is rough finished, then I edit.
I also agree with coming up with ideas when I'm editing for exactly the reason Alex mentions... but, at that point I'll simply go back adding notes in the appropriate section, finish editing, THEN go back and alter the story (often tweaking all other chapters due to a change), and then re-edit again.
I have a long way to go before I can write-once then edit-once... My estimate being, in perhaps 273 years. So, my editing process grants me a LOT of opportunities to tweak things as I make my double-digit sweeps of the entire manuscript.
However, my ability to churn out a logical story requires just writing the story... to make it concise and refined, I edit. And trying to do both at the same time harms both results.
K2
