I'm over half-way done with my second writing class now and honestly all I want to do is seize everything I've written before and attack it again. It's starting to hamper with my assignments to continue writing new material.
I think I may have found a new drug. And it's called Revision.
I know a lot of people really dread this part - I used to be one of them. I was able to edit very easily; capitalize this, add a comma here. Not a problem. Didn't ever break a sweat. I would avoid revision though like the plague.
I think it was a combination of being too scared of trying again and being prideful. I liked what I originally wrote. If I didn't, I wouldn't have put it out there for people to read. What was wrong with the way it was? Wasn't it good enough?
After going through my last class and forcing myself to stretch a bit I found that there was actually a freedom to admitting to revisions. I liked myself better. I liked my work better.
I didn't always agree on what the professor wanted me to do in my revisions, but accepting that maybe those things did need some work somehow allowed my creative juices to flow. I found alternate solutions to the problems presented to me (and alternate problems as well).
Not enough closure in the ending? But my ending is fine. Let's focus on the climax instead. Can you add to it? Does it need to be moved back? Who's missing from that moment that should be there?
Is your main character a little flat? But I like him the way he is. Maybe the supporting characters need more development instead. Can you create a foil? Can you add depth to a relationship?
I wish I had stumbled upon this sooner. I feel like I have much more control over my work. I feel more like a creator instead of an instrument. This monster who I thought would tie my hands behind my back instead has only opened dusty windows and encouraged long walks in the park.
There's a way to be happier with your work.
Not to mention there's a lot less pressure to get it all right the first time :)
I think I may have found a new drug. And it's called Revision.
I know a lot of people really dread this part - I used to be one of them. I was able to edit very easily; capitalize this, add a comma here. Not a problem. Didn't ever break a sweat. I would avoid revision though like the plague.
I think it was a combination of being too scared of trying again and being prideful. I liked what I originally wrote. If I didn't, I wouldn't have put it out there for people to read. What was wrong with the way it was? Wasn't it good enough?
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| Because right now I'm living through a blizzard |
After going through my last class and forcing myself to stretch a bit I found that there was actually a freedom to admitting to revisions. I liked myself better. I liked my work better.
I didn't always agree on what the professor wanted me to do in my revisions, but accepting that maybe those things did need some work somehow allowed my creative juices to flow. I found alternate solutions to the problems presented to me (and alternate problems as well).
Not enough closure in the ending? But my ending is fine. Let's focus on the climax instead. Can you add to it? Does it need to be moved back? Who's missing from that moment that should be there?
Is your main character a little flat? But I like him the way he is. Maybe the supporting characters need more development instead. Can you create a foil? Can you add depth to a relationship?
I wish I had stumbled upon this sooner. I feel like I have much more control over my work. I feel more like a creator instead of an instrument. This monster who I thought would tie my hands behind my back instead has only opened dusty windows and encouraged long walks in the park.
There's a way to be happier with your work.
Not to mention there's a lot less pressure to get it all right the first time :)
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