In my family, we have this beautiful, horrible thing called "the correction bug". Allow me to explain with an exemplar story.
There is nothing more annoying than the correction bug when you're on the receiving end, so we have worked hard to rein it in instead of letting it roam free. When someone gets on a roll correcting someone else, either they or the person they are correcting will slap their wrist/arm/shoulder/leg and say "correction bug" to remind that person that it isn't always wise to correct other people.
Writers tend to get this way when reading other people's work. We see a tiny mistake and we pick it apart. This can be both good and destructive. We have to be careful to not harm another writer's feelings or resolve by picking apart everything they just did. On the other hand, it's good to know that there is the possibility for you to be able to pick apart your own work and make it better.
Another fun part of the correction bug is that you can read or watch something and pick out what you like and how you would have done it. This is fodder for future works. Write it down. If you find yourself saying, "I would have…" then write down how you would have done it. There's no telling when it will come in handy.
Unfortunately for us, correction is a part of writing. Grammar, plotline, misspellings. I, for one, hate having to cut up the good work I've already done. It's like tearing out my own heart and soul.
Well, my first instinct is to sit down — just me — with a giant bundt cake and a fork. Unfortunately, if I did that every time I had to edit, I would be very, very fat. So I set up a reward program for myself (or, at least, I would like to). Here's the general idea.
Edit first ten pages = piece of chocolate for me.
Edit first half of book = piece of cake/cheesecake or a giant cookie.
Edit all grammar and misspellings = a piece of jewelry for me.
COMPLETELY edit entire manuscript, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and fix all plot holes = BRAND NEW PAIR OF SHOES!!!
I'm not quite there yet, but I do reward myself with varying desserts and it seems to get me over the hump. Editing isn't quite so menacing anymore. In fact, sometimes I actually (gulp) enjoy it.
So, even though the correction bug can be a bad thing when used too much, it can be a good thing for our writing. Keep it in its container until the time is right to let it out. (Kind of like those caterpillars you used to catch that never actually made it to butterfly stage).
Need help editing or have questions about how it should be done? Comment or contact me! I'm giving out free advice this week.