GL that's exactly what happens to me... If I start to edit as ideas are springing forth, I literally stop the flow. The research shows the brain has difficulty juggling two major tasks simultaneously. One takes over and it's often our inner critic.
The inability to write and edit at once reveals much about our brain.
Thanks for sharing your experience with it, GL.
AxeCity, interestingly we learn from and benefit each other through our blog conversations. Perhaps that's a bonus we don't expect when we first jump into blogging!
I appreciate you letting Joanna know that you gained strategies from her thoughtful comment.
Keep up the good work you have underway!
Why is it when I go back and edit, I seem to lose the spontaneity of my thought process? I can always find useless words later, but then the original post seems too too too something. Ever happened to you?
Thanks Robyn for featuring those great tips by Joanna, it's really interesting to know that we should keep editing while writing to keep our creativity on.
And thanks to Joanna for the informative piece.
Karen, I note that Robert Hruzek thinks of it in this way: "...hog-tying my inner editor and keeping him out back while I write initial drafts."
He also terms him as a "pesky little fellow." Karen, folks battle against the inner editor, I'd love to leave it with the guys. We call the editor all sorts of names! 
Now the woman as creative editor once writing is finished is a much better placement in my mind!
Joanna and Robyn thanks so much for that insight! I wonder if our male writers have editors and critics who are women. 
I love the editor when she shows up after the writing is done. She is welcomed then. She is annoying when she interrupts my writing. Now that you have helped me separate editor and critic I have a new way of thinking about my own writing process. Thank you!
Joanna, many thanks for bringing an unexpected melody to editing. In future I'll anticipate it as a challenge and joy. You've opened windows that I hadn't considered.
I appreciate your generosity in sharing with readers and coming back with specific comments for each. Sure makes for rich conversation.
Hmmm... so you want to know a little more about how the brain works while we're sleeping or doing something else. I blogged on that in past, but it's about time to approach it a little differently and bring it up front!
Robyn, thanks for sharing my words here and once again hosting a fascinating conversation.
Brad, I'd use purpose mainly to beat the critic if he's being unhelpful. It's a good way to get past his looming road blocks.
The editing process you describe, with the mind working on it after you've stopped looking at it, is I think the unconscious mind continuing to work to help you find the challenge you've set it. I don't know if Robyn has a more scientific way to describe this!
Beth, moving blocks around is a great idea. I guess that would allow you to see patterns and connections and flow - and also things that are better left out.
It's a reminder that there are many different parts of editing - we need to get the overview right as well as the detailed flow of words.
Joanna
Beth, cutting and physically moving idea blocks is a fascinating way to stimulate creativity! I've not heard of editing as you describe. It seems as if you enjoy seeing the whole physically with different organizational patterns. As you do new connections come to you. Do you add even more to your essay at this point or do you work more to improve transitions and wording?
As I said, I am really fascinated because I tend to be a strong spatial person. I do enjoy using graphic organizers to make connections between major themes.
This is absolutely a rich conversation and I truly appreciate your input!
Brad, at times we are too close to our writing to come back right away to edit. I find as you, Brad, that if I set my work aside that when I come back I see many ways to beef it up. My problem is wordiness and I really can say much in fewer words.
To answer your question, in past I have shown that if you sleep on a problem or even ask a question your brain continues to work on solutions for you. You have the aha moment when the answer surfaces.
Interesting that you thought of this in relation to the editing since it can really work for you! Thanks so much for sharing, Brad.
Creative editing is a great concept and really captures how the first draft isn't the only place invention and creativity come into play.
I enjoy moving ideas around. Usually I'll do this in my head, a computerized version of the way I did it the first time back in college. I printed everything out and started cutting and physically moving idea blocks from place to place, making notes on other pages where connections are needed. Then I went back to the computer to set the structure before I went after the flow of words that Joanna was talking about.
Robyn & Joanna, Something I learned recently (from you, maybe?) on my crossword puzzle post, is that your mind works on a problem even after you've set it aside. I find when I set a challenging piece of writing aside, one that seems to defy editing, I come back to it a day or two later with a whole new approach. Is this editing without purpose, or is purpose sometimes a thing we can't quite see on the surface of our own thoughts?
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