When I was young I used to loathe having to rewrite my stories. So much that sometimes I didn’t even want to read them. Because you see, I wrote mostly during the moments of intense inspiration, when everything I wrote seemed perfect. And when I read over the stories, I found many mistakes, many things to change. Somehow, the magic was gone.
And I used to imagine myself, older, wiser, and a better writer. I used to imagine that I would become good enough to write fantastic first drafts, just so I wouldn’t have to write draft after draft. It took me a while to realize that there are no brilliant first drafters.
Oddly enough, now I enjoy rewriting more than I do writing a first draft. It’s an entirely different process. Because it requires are different touch and a different set of skills, to be honest. I have a first draft, a starting point, a basis for my story. You know, like a diamond cutter… yeah, cheesy analogy, I know.
When I was young I used to love writing first drafts. Because I was stupid. Only stupid writers aren’t afraid of a blank page, a page that doesn’t know nor cares who they are. Now, the blank page terrifies me. I can imagine myself taking a deep breath before writing each and every sentence, like a diver. It’s not like that. I walk around the room, I stare out the window, then I write one sentence. Most often, I delete it after staring at it for five seconds. Then I write another one. It’s such an excruciating process.
But rewriting… that’s what makes the difference. You sit down and you have to be the reader. You have to see what works and what doesn’t. You have to see past beautiful writing… you have to analyze the story as a whole, to see what needs more work, what has to be patched up. Plot holes, inconsistencies, style, all that stuff.
And I like doing all that stuff. I like reading my stories aloud, changing this or that. Because, no matter how bad the first draft is, I know I can make it better.
Writing is reversible. I know I can change what doesn’t work. I can add or remove to my heart’s content.
I once told a fellow writer that I have a lot of unfinished projects, a lot of lousy first drafts that I was afraid to work on, and she said that I have no balls. Yeah, that’s what she said. And it’s true.
One of the biggest mistakes any writer can make is to feel depressed because their first drafts are bad. All first drafts are bad, that’s why you shouldn’t let anyone read them. Work on them a little more, read them aloud, do whatever has to be done to change that lousy first draft into a brilliant one.
But I have to admit. Writing a first draft, venturing into a fictional world for the first time, is a fascinating process. Outline or not outline, you never know what’s going to happen, where the story might lead you. When you finish writing your first draft, that’s when the whole process loses a bit of its charm.
Which process do you like best? Writing the first draft or rewriting?
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Reblogged this on christopherdaviswrites.
Some authors don't read their own works for that very reason . . . I think Heinlein was like that. He would finish a story, and send it in. Not sure that would work today, and definitively if one does not have an already big name, or tremendous talent.
Personally, I don't mind re-writes . . . not so much for the technical stuff (spelling, etc.), but because I can generally improve, add, make more clever. You know how often you think of a better retort than the one you actually said out loud?
Writing is like that.
I think it mostly depends on the state of mind or content. I prefer drafting over re-writing.
Cristian,
Your story is my story. Because writing came easy for me and I had the gift of procrastination (not a good combination), I usually waited until the last minute to write whatever assignment was due in school, even in college. I just wanted the writing to be "finished" when in fact, it had only just begun.
Today I enjoy both, writing the first draft, yet rewriting and rewriting, knowing not exactly where my words will go until the journey is completed. And even then, after publication, I reread my writings and often want to change what I wrote.
Thanks so much for your excellent posts.
Bruce
I like writing the first draft better because I'm so relieved to get all the bulk of the work done. Then when I go back and edit, it's like a little party that doesn't seem very much like work :)
But you said it yourself: 'No matter how bad the first draft, I know I can make it better'. So, there is no reason to be afraid of the blank page. Then again, fear is hardly rational. But I think that you summarised the writing process beautifully there. Because in the end, it doesn't matter which one is the synonym of dread and sweat for you, the blank page or the rewriting, if you keep at it, you can only make it better. The only way to make it bad is not to write at all.
I always like the first draft, you can be as creative as you like, with no limitations. For me, I don't like the term "re – writing", it makes it sound boring. I prefer "editing", which is the same thing. :)
Reblogged this on Journey in my boat.
I agree. The only good writing is good rewriting. Editing is the most gratifying part of the writing process. It is time well spent.
I like both equally, but for different reasons because, as you say, they are different tasks requiring different skill sets.
I never formally plan my first draft. My writing is just reactive and impulsive. That works for me and it’s exciting, liberating, challenging and always, eventually, satisfying. I say eventually because sometimes it can take me a day or two to see a way out of the corner that I painted myself into, but that’s the kind of challenge that I relish.
For me, having a first draft completed takes all the pressure off. I can then relax a bit. I know that I’m going to have to work at it still, but the body of what I wanted to write is complete. I’m refining not creating.
The drafts that do start to irk me are the third, fourth, fifth, sixth…
My first drafts are actually pretty good. I prefer the initial writing to the rewriting because so much of the story is captured, and well, in that first draft.
You pose an interesting question. So much of my writing and rewriting is done in my head, it is a combined process. However, if I had to choose it would probably be rewriting. I always want to look for the best way to present my thoughts, so I think of the variant ways to write out a thought or how to better structure the flow of thoughts in what I am writing.
I like the sudden inspirations while it is all coming out,but I also enjoy the ironing-out, the clarifications, the inspirations that come from my previous ideas.
I'm growing to really enjoy rewriting. I actually really enjoy deleting huge sections of drafts. Knowing that I'm not married to what I write makes me feel like I'm doing something right.
I don't rewrite. My first draft is my last draft. I go back and fix grammar and spelling, but that's about it.
I hate rewriting, even though it is so important, I always have to force myself to do it, because it is NOT fun for me for the exact reasons you stated… I can totally relate to this!! :)
For me, actually, once I became comfortable with re-writing, I could relax about the first draft: no more pressure for perfection. Great post- thank you.
I love it all–finally. Rewriting is where we shine; "kill our darlings" a friend once told me. It all seems so interwoven now, it's hard to tell where the one starts, and the other begins, beyond temporal references. Great write…or dare I say it–rewrite? ;)
I find that after I've written a first draft, I really can't look at that particular piece again for months! You put it perfectly when you said, its like the magic has gone. But it comes back, I just need to recharge my creative battery!
Great blog post, by the way. :)
Can certainly relate to this lovely reflection of the writing process. Writing and rewriting are fine; the part I neglect, perhaps to a fault, is PLANNING.
Sometimes re-writing is difficult for me because I'm burn out from writing the first draft. Thank you for the encouragement though: "One of the biggest mistakes any writer can make is to feel depressed because their first drafts are bad. All first drafts are bad, that’s why you shouldn’t let anyone read them. Work on them a little more, read them aloud, do whatever has to be done to change that lousy first draft into a brilliant one."
I more enjoyed the rawness of that first draft and now find the second and third offer far more refinement making better sense to the reader
I definitely know what you mean! Sometimes on the first draft you get into such a frenzy and you can't seem to get things out fast enough. A few days later you feel like you're reading some 8 year old's musings on obvious statements. "I like music, it's good." (I'm paraphrasing of course.) It can definitely go both ways, though. Sometimes I'll reread something and think, wow, I surprised myself – like reading something from someone else because that frenzy was so intense.
I honestly enjoy both parts. I like creating the story, but I also love to go back with fresh eyes and make it better. I find writing to be a process with many steps, all of which I enjoy at certain points and loath at others, usually when my bum has gone numb from sitting too long!
I'm also stupid. No fear of the blank page – I love first drafts. I'm not stupid enough to think they're brilliant, though, so I revise like a demon.
I find for short poems, I need to re-write very little, but the longer they get, the more re-writing I have to do. I once spent 4 hours re-writing a poem!
I've been trying to write a story for a while, it's hard, it's actually hard for me to feel good about my blogs, but they are all first drafts, I consider them to be like real life, you only get one chance to writes it, and your done.
A drunk English teacher at a bar once said to me, "Writing a first draft is like throwing up on a page. Then when you revise, it's like you're picking out the good parts that you wanna eat."
I still find revising pretty brutal, though. It's still hard for me to "kill my darlings" but at least I realize that it's part of the process (I remember idealistically thinking in high school that the first draft would be the only draft). And it's kind of fun sometimes to see what you end up with after even just one round of revision. I think that guy was wrong–writing's more than barf on a page, writing's alive; you're never really "done."
I like rewriting and the beauty of becoming an observer of my work, but I often lack the motivation. I'm like your restless young self that wants brilliance at the first go. Even though, I do love the outcome of constant revision.
I like both, but the rewrite is always better. There is a satisfaction in making it better.
That is so true about rewriting. Luckily I have dicovered the preview button.
I look at drafting as getting my feet wet. Rewriting is, at times agonizing, yet always proves to be a worthwhile adventure. I love the process of discovering new ways of exploring whatever I am writing about. The best part for me, is the sigh of relief that coincides with hitting the "publish" button on my screen! ( :
Great post and great encouragement
I'm going to do some rewriting then..lol many thanks.
Pj
Chris your an excellent writer!!! I love your stuff I need to read more but what I have seen so far is perfect…I agree totally with this post the rewrite is where the fun begins. Not that I'm good at it but I love to go back over my work and reread and write it…it's a whole other animal!!!!
I like the rewriting part the best. The first draft is just to get all my emotions and basic plot-lines down on paper…er, word processor. After that I have to sort through the junk, throw it out, and rewrite until I'm sick of it.
I try not to limit myself on the first draft. Simply get the thoughts down on paper and try not to think too hard about it.
I tend to obsess more over the re-write. A tweak here, an adjustment there, ad nauseum. I do enjoy the editing process, but at some point you have to just let it go…
Proof reading is the worst part. There always seems to be yet more mistakes you've missed.
This is a great post, I can perfectly grasp what you mean. However, I don't write literature, but for my scientific reports and articles I have very very similar issues ;)
I actually really enjoy the rewriting, but in part that's because I know I've already gotten something down on the page. You're right – the blank page is terrifying. When I teach revision to my students, I try to focus on PRE-writing – all that thinking and planning you do before you start to write. Helps to eliminate some of that blank page terror.
I'm with you – anymore, I have much less anxiety with the editing and re-writing processes (as painful as they can be for their own reasons).
I do wish I still had the energy to pour out those first drafts with any remote amount of efficiency or confidence, however. If I could combine that with my willingness to hack up and change the work afterward, I'd be set.
This is an interesting thought process of a writer. I am not a writer but I do need to write as part of my work. I do experience some of the things that you wrote here. A nice post.
I´m going to have to say I like the writing process the best. It`s the most freeing experience ever. Editing feels too much like work. However, I will say editing does draw a fancier picture. Great post!
I really like both. Getting that story on paper while the ideas flow is fun. Then going back for the rewrite is a challenge to see how good you can make it. I loves challenges in writing: finding different words, deleting something that is not working, spicing up a description, etc.
I'm going through that right now. I'm re-reading an old Nanowrimo manuscript for revision. Some of it startles me, becuase Nano is done at such a fast pace. Some of the plot points came and went so quickly I hardly remembered them until I saw them again later. So fascinating.
Any highly complex creation is made through iterative improvement . . . test, modify, test, modify, repeat . . . it's the same way quality machines and quality software are made, so it makes sense that it's also necessary for quality stories and/or writing. When you look at something again a second time, you can see how to improve it more, as long as you can see it with "new eyes" . . . which is why another pair of eyes often helps so much (another's point of view). :) Thanks for the post, I enjoyed it.
I actually like the rewrite better than the first draft. When I start the first draft I am scared. I am not sure what I am scared of. Maybe of failing or just of the unknown. But I love rerwiting because I can see the pieces coming together. I start to feel that fullfilling sense I get when I create a full picture with words. I love it.
A great share. Invaluable to anybody who writes, amateur or professional.
I am not sure about churning out brilliant stuff, as a goal. I would regard some of the best works I've read as far from being perfect. What they did have is the author's intent and vision of his work expressed simply, honestly and engagingly.
Perhaps I am speaking of my own reading values …
Sometimes one. Sometimes the other. Sometimes both terrify my. Sometimes it's mostly hard to get started. Mostly they both thrill me. : )
Reblogged this on verum intus, fulsi vacuus and commented:
If you are in the business of writing, for living or pleasure … this piece is invaluable !
First draft is great … Rewriting i get to revisit with different eyes, look at different perspectives, clarify and 'perfect' and in the latter is a problem … Too much rewriting is disheartening at times, can become too clinical. The fun is finding the happy medium, in-between :)
This is a very encouraging post. I say that it is already a great achievement to be able to have a first draft. And those with plenty of first drafts have a lot of treasures to work on.
I'm just on the point of changing: to writing the first draft more freely (with less internal editor), and it feels much better. I'll see what evolves from this. I might get to enjoy the editing process more from now onwards. Or not!
Rewrite for sure!
Blessings ~ Wendy
I personally like writing the first draft. I hate writing the second because i feel so stupid rereading the first!
[...] Writing is Rewriting (cristianmihai.net) [...]
I won't say which I like more, but I do think editing is somewhat easier, especially if I don't have to do too much rewriting or change huge sections of the story.
totally agree with you… i still hate reading my own work. something about reading it the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time, just slowly makes it uninteresting.. but i've learnt to build on the story with every edit and i guess editing is becoming more fun these days
I love writing first drafts because I let my imagination run wild and after having a scene or idea, I just do automatic writing, writing subconsciously but a kind of idea in my head. I never know what's gonna happen next. I just write. After later reading whatever on earth I wrote I can see many things I could change to embellish it, make it sound better, etc. But I always have trouble trying to continue the story. I don't organize or make an outline at all. : I'm not serious on writing a book or anything like it right now, I just like to write every now and then when the inspiration strikes so I just visualize something in my head, pick up a pen and paper and just write till the gas runs out. Yeah, maybe not the best way to actually finish something, I know.
Lately, first drafts terrify me. They didn't used to. I really like shaping a story, but to do that I need to get out the first draft.
I love the pruning process, probably because I used to write for radio and it's in my DNA to chop.
I don't know, Cristian. I do both of those things and even more! I trash them permanently or go ahead and just publish them -the blogposts- smoking green! :D That said, I also have several abandoned drafts.
I have a package of buttons for workshops. The buttons say, "First drafts don't have to be good, they just have to be written." There is a blush of first love when writing a first draft. Every day is an adventure. When it's done, and it's time for the re-write, that's like marriage. Work! :-) Eventually, with time and effort, something wonderful can emerge. (I think I just wrote the draft for a future blog post. I'd better save this! lol)
Reblogged this on Arcane~Acumen and commented:
Rewriting is tough, it really is! First drafts are comparatively easy, as in, all it takes is a bit of inspiration and voila, the first draft is ready. But to continue the story further, that is to finish it, edit it, re-write parts, that takes a lot of labor and is perhaps the reason, why I possess a lot of unfinished stories stashed somewhere!
Getting inspired is a completely different act all together though!
When my sons were in school, I was harder than any teacheer could ever be. I would rip up papers in front of them. "Not good enough. Rewrite!" They became sick of hearing me tell them that Sydney Sheldon, a famous novelist, professed to, at least, fifteen rewrites. However, whether or not they remember, it has served them well. Two of my three sons have written books, published! I find that I am most apprehensive in writing the first draft. Once I have it all down on paper, I rest easy. Then I edit/rewrite numerous times–I would say, a minimum of five to six times for a simple essay. But, the rewriting, for me, is much easier than the initial pen to paper. I never believe I can get it all down. Never believe I am good enough. I strive for perfection and only hope to achieve excellence. All the numerous school papers have been an A. I still don't feel qualified.
I always enjoy your writing, this is very fine!
In rewriting one can make something more complete,
but it's nice when at times a first draft
can be the final draft!
This was a great article. I just finished reading Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard book". Did you know he started it about 20 years ago, knew that it was good but that he was not a good enough writer to do it justice so he put it away to practice his craft and returned when he thought he might finally be good enough to finish it? Anyway, keep writing, looking forward to reading more of your work!
I think as many writers mature, it gets more terrifying to confront that blank page because now you're more aware of your audience and their expectancy and your own standard for your writing. It is definitely intriguing to rewrite because you're taking yourself out of the perspective and personally I found my friends conceived some of my stories very differently haha
Writing came easy for me, so i prefer putting it down on paper, then going over it. i hate finding mistakes, but the biggest problem for me is to let go. i hate to lose any of my precious ideas, even for the sake of the story. i rather let someone else read it, correct it, then i will decide what i want to change.
I'm a first draft fiend. Just as you described it, it comes out feeling like the product of pure inspiration. What could possibly be wrong? Then I read it out loud to hammer out some of the cadences and catch the most obvious niggling errors. Naturally, I read it as I wrote it, knowing every little subtle inflection, and it is pure genius!
Then I post and get my friendly reality check…a chorus of crickets. After nearly a year of blogging and feeling that seemingly only semi-inspired rush, I'm finally learning a bit about the need to tighten it up, to leave off with cleverness and hone my reasoning to a razor edge, and to consider my audience. As it is now, I write wonderfully for my own biggest fan, me! Every line a standing ovation. Every dramatic pause a cliffhanger.
Here's to year two when I tangle with the re-write. I hope I find your enthusiasm for it!
Knowing that the first draft is always terrible, I always just write a skinny outline. Then I go back and make each sentence as perfect as I can. I guess this is why rewriting is generally more enjoyable for me.
Good post. I'm doing just that—rewriting. I've written eight chapters of my story so far and I want someone to read it, and I figured my old English teacher would be a good bet. But no way was I going to give it to him like it was. I'm currently up to chapter 4, and although rewriting/editing/re-whatever-ing is a gruelling process—and often takes a lot longer than writing the draft—it is a process that I like.
As to which is better? I like the spontaneity of the first draft, although I often have to remind myself that it's allowed to read like shit, and to stop be so fussy with the way the words are. 'Cause that's what rewriting is for. And I like the second process because it I'm finally allowed to get finicky with it. I'll come across a sentence I wrote and be like, That is gold—I just need to tweak it a bit. Or I'll find one that is completely horrendous and think, Why, oh why, did I ever write that?
I think I make a terrible mother, setting the baby out on her own after giving birth. This is true with my poems now, maybe because I made a promise to myself to write one poem a day – be it long or just a line – and this takes about an hour or so. I prefer early hours of the day before work, then the hassle of the mundane life starts and no time to get into that realm again. I wrote two novels before and it was the same. I could not go back and re-write. Maybe I need a very long time to pass over a project so that I can be objective and work on it again. Time will show :) I wonder how it would be if one of my works was considered for publication and this panics me!
Cristian:
You are True Artist! I'll definitely be checking out your work. You seem rather bright and with a hungry spirit. You communicate that, and much more, very clearly.
I tip my hat,
~KP
Reblogged this on From the Rose's Mouth and commented:
Lot's of writey goodness :)
I have moods. If I can't really think for anything new then revisiting my old work and making it flow better is just as fun.
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Having spent time in the trenches as an advertising copywriter, the best advise I was ever given is to write long, edit short. Let the words and ideas just come forth, get them down on paper (computer screen), then start trimming the fat until the message/idea is clear and concise. For me, I always figured out the ending first, then worked my way backwards. Maybe a strange way to organize an idea, but it seemed to work just right for me.
Thanks for this. I'm terrible at re-writing. My own imagined brilliance gets in the way. I'm slowly learning, though.
I love the rewrite! The first draft is fun and cathartic and emotional, but I love to crawl in and play with the guts of a story. To me, this is where the art comes in. I never tire of rereading — I just imagine I'm reading through the eyes of different people I know, and it gives me a fresh perspective every time.
It depends on the mood I'm in. That first draft can feel amazing as I'm putting it on paper. That rewrite when everything really clicks? That's pretty amazing, too.
The first draft is my personal favorite, just knowing it's done and "in the can" so to speak, is a wonderful feeling.
The hardest thing about doing a fiction blog is that each post is pretty much a first draft. The couple of posts that I had time to re-write seem to generate the most feedback. Now I know why people write books and put fiction out there when it is ready…rewrites.
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I'm terrified by the first draft, but I also love the discovery of it! I love the polishing of the next drafts, the fixing of parts that didn't quite work the way I thought they did. Yes, there are moments of chopping at parts I loved dearly, and those are absolutely tough, but something about smoothing the edges and making your work shine just gives me the warm fuzzies! It's a big toss up actually, now that I think on it! I equally like and dislike both processes.
Reblogged this on The McManual and commented:
Yes! This is just what I needed to read. I am doing a final edit of my first novel, and although it has gone through extensive rewrites, this is the last one before I release it out to the world. My fears were keeping me from starting – but now that I have been working on it for a few hours again, I see that things aren't as bad as I imagined. I think I will share your post with my high school English class — the majority of my students hate to rewrite, but it might help if they read your comments about how it's a different process. :)
Reblogged this on MS Writes and commented:
Must read. Over and over and over!
I like writing the first draft better because the possibilities are endless. It's a process in discovery. However, I have grown to appreciate the noodling of revision because that's about reseeing & I believe that's where the real craft of writing takes place. Thanks for your post. I'm enjoying your thoughts on writing. Thanks for sharing.
A very thought-provoking piece! I personally prefer the first draft, that is when I am most inspired and when I am most excited about the writing that I am doing. The re-draft is always necessary though and despite not enjoying the process quite as much as I do the initial stage, it does mean that I prefer the final outcome!
The hardest part for me is getting the ideas together enough to create a post from start to finish. Sometimes it seems fragmented and it's hard to wrap something up. So, once it's finished, I feel a sense of relief and then the editing from there is a cakewalk. Good article!
I've been lurking and reading for a while now. This one was just perfect. I love to write, but I find rewriting easier now, too. Writing that first draft is hard. I get so lost, sometimes, in the middle of a novel-length work, or even a long poem. I have a hard time believing that my work is good enough. I'm filled with doubt… but good rewriting is an active process. It's something to DO, without judgment or cynical critique. Does this work, yes or no? That's the beauty of it. Like you said, I can now make the work better than it was. I'm learning, after being a writer my whole life, to let go and trust to the rewrite. It's hard, but I'm getting there. Thanks for the lovely post.
I am finding I enjoy the rewriting as I see my story mature and improve. No doubt, it was a great feeling to complete my first draft, but looking back at it with a critical eye and reworking makes for a better final manuscript. That's what I'm shooting for to begin with.
"[D]o whatever has to be done to change that lousy first draft into a brilliant one." Or rewrite completely it in another way that it works and is compelling.
I think I went through the exact same process. I'm staring at a folder of unedited first drafts feeling as nutless as a castrati.
Writing a first draft is both scary and exhilarating. Rewriting is a calm rational process. Writing is the blind date – rewriting is the happy stable relationship
The first draft is always excruciating for me because I want to be perfect but nothing I put on the page is perfect; however, once I finish that first draft, I have a sense of accomplishment. I FINISHED something. It may be crap, but it's finished crap. Then with the rewriting process, I can relax a little more because I know that it doesn't have to be perfect because I'm going to be editing this anyway, and I can feel my way better through what works and what doesn't.
It's incredible to see how my story changes between the first draft and the rewrite, too, and I can see a better product almost instantly. Is it perfect? Of course not! But I feel better about the manuscript enough to find some courage to show it to others finally.
[...] via Writing is Rewriting. [...]
Interesting article. I have to say I very rarely retouch my photos in post-production as I am always afraid to kill or alter the original message I wanted to convey the moment I took the shot.
I usually write under the fever but when I'm out of it. I realize how much words and imagery I have missed out in fully encapsulating the whole experience I wanted to share. Great article!
I enjoy both although I need some period of rest between the two because I also always think that the first draft is great when in fact it's not. A big disappointment, but one that will make me write better the next time!
New writer here… I can kind of see the benefit of getting the bulk of the story, the ideas, the scenes out on paper first, and then going back and fine-tuning it. A writer friend told me that she read it's good to finish the draft and put it away for two weeks, then when you go back and look at it you have fresh eyes.
Hell, i just like the process of creating. Write, rewrite and rewrite and rewire… etc…..and I hate the ego of promoting it..
Re writing is the worst, yet most critical. It is difficult to not begin to hate what you penned in the beginning.
I am so much better at editing other people's stories than I am my own and I actually really enjoy the process then- I'm not emotionally attached, I guess… I hate editing my own work with a passion!
I had recently fell into the notice writers trap of considering the first draft as some sacrosanct thing. I wasn't conceited enough to think i'd be able to hit a home run from the first draft, but… I was trying to make the first draft the best draft. Since then I've re-evaluate this position and decided the first draft should really be my worst draft: a gruesome, monstrous aberration of literature with too many limbs and mouths, a Cthulhuvian creation that i must then turn into something beautiful and magnificent through trimming, reshaping, refining. Your words reinforced that outlook magnificently. Thank you.
I find writing the first draft very difficult. The blank page terrifies me as well. But it's the part I enjoy the most, getting the shape of the story right before working at the details.
I went through my "hubris of youth" phase, as I'm calling it now, and am pleased to have moved past it. I'm not sure where the idea of instant perfection came from, or why I was so loathe to rewrite something, although I think my young mind thought having to do anything a second time was synonymous with having failed the first time. The blank page is still terrifying, but if the first sentence is dreadful, or not right, I hit return and start another or build until I hit some sort of flow and have something to say. I'm not afraid to rewrite anymore, but I am afraid that I won't finish the stories I care the most about in the first place so that I can hone them.
How beautifully, and PERFECTLY you describe the process of rewriting!!! I LOATHE it, but it's absolutely necessary, and ultimately? Super satisfying!… Until you reread it later. But that's WRITING! A joy, a privilege, a purging -and a private HELL, especially for perfectionists. But did I mention -SUCH A JOY!!! :)
writing the first draft, for sure. Sometimes the more I read it, the more mistakes I find. I need to refine my "re-writing" skills and how to improve on the draft instead of hacking at its errors. thanks for an informative post.
I like them both. The first draft is where my imagination and creativity paint the picture. I learned in graduate school that you can edit anything into being good, but you have to have something to start with. So, I let the creative juices flow and it comes. The re-writes are where my sense of perfection and years as an English teacher take over. I hone the creation into one that clearly expresses my thoughts. My challenge is that I begin to re-write the beginning before I've even finished drafting the whole piece. I'm working on it, but at least I know my weaknesses. Thanks for the analysis and helping me think about my process like this. Blessings ~w
I, too hated rewriting until recently. I wish I'd known years ago that not having perfect first drafts is impossible but apparently when the student is ready…etc. etc. I read this to my young son (who writes also), hoping to spare him years of mental tension as a writer. His response?
"I haven't rewrited yet, but when I do, I bet that will be my favorite part." Shows what I know.
My favorite part now is clicking the Publish button. I know the piece isn't perfect and may never be, but for better or worse, just for today, I wrote. And someone read it. :) And it didn't completely suck. Thanks, Christian; I really enjoy your writing (about writing especially). :)
I'm so glad that you mentioned this! I have had the same problem/situation in my life-long writing experience. I, too, always followed the philosophy "first thought equals best thought" when I was younger, and though I loved to have my writing read, I couldn't bear to hear anyone read it aloud. It would nearly send me into full-blown panic attack.
As I've grown, I've learned to love the rewrite. I often have to busy myself with something else for a day or so before I can really dig into the rewrite and reflect on this or that detail. But I do love it, now. I actually enjoy rereading my prose and sprucing it up where I want. You can't do that reading other authors!
Reblogged this on Making The Change and commented:
I agree one hundred percent with this young man's POV.
I am still re-writing and trying to be OK with the whole process, as a means to a better end!
While the initial furry of pen ink and smudged letters have always delighted me, I find that re-working older pieces and properly editing them has a certain allure now. I find that going over older works now gives me the impartialness to go through them with a fine-toothed comb, rather than hastily changing mistakes because I just made them.
[...] Writing is Rewriting (cristianmihai.net) [...]
I've been finding that I like re-writing a lot as well. There is a methodic rhythm to it that I find really soothing and fulfilling. Glad to see that this idea is not shared by myself alone.
[...] fail – catches my attention. The parallels between the process he was talking about in Writing Is Rewriting and discussions at websites like the Force Academy are easy to see, and the former casts the [...]
You literally read my mind! Rewriting FTW! You write amazingly, you really know how to grab a person and get them glued to your blogs!
Yes, I'm beginning to see re-writing as being more important.
Cristian, this really got me thinking, as I've been struggling with re-writing something today. And I'm thinking that it's like this: how we view the creative process can be equal to how we view life. Are we stuck in the notion of life as an inadequate first draft? Always trying to get somewhere but never seeming to arrive? Or are we constantly perfecting and revisiting in our minds the great things we could've said/done/been, if only we'd had that second chance? To me, life is creation is life – endlessly unfolding first draft moments, which are in themselves the beautiful perfection of their own completion. Perfection is this moment. However rough and awkward it might feel at the time. And so with writing – whether we are writing or rewriting, we are engaged in the creative process of this perpetually perfect unfolding moment. Knowing this, we write/rewrite from the heart. That's the perfection of the creative life.
You make a fine point, Cristian. Writing is an act of repetition, of careful revision over time – and, as you commented in another post, a record of personal development.
Extended further, all writing is in fact a rewriting of words past. Nothing is new, only given new life.
Thanks for your insights, as always!
The first draft is a roller coaster ride. The rewrite is getting back in line because you want to experience the thrill again only to question: "What was so thrilling about it the first time?"
I think someone defined that as insanity. Maybe, it was the definition for addiction.
Reblogged this on Reblog Junk Drawer.