Writing Articles

A number of experienced writers have often explained that there is no such animal as good writing without rewriting, rewriting and still more rewriting.

New writers, and sometimes even more experienced writers, get discouraged when they are forced to rewrite paragraphs and even chapters a number of times.  At last count, I really was too embarrassed to keep an accurate record on actual rewrites of one of the chapters in my latest novel, but I figure that it had to be over 23 rewrites.   It was one particularly difficult chapter for me until the characters moved like I wanted them to and the scenes flowed into one another with real interest and momentum.  Incidentally, I will confide that this manuscript has been in the works for over four years including the research. 

This isn't particularly unusual, because if the writer wants each manuscript to be better than the last, he/she will attempt to improve it until it reaches perfection.

Nancy Kress, a thorough and creative fiction writer for the well-received Writer's Digest seems to feel that all writers, but especially new ones, should do their rewrite in different stages of the manuscript.  If they attempt a rewrite at the end of the manuscript it may be just too much to contemplate and, as a consequence, too overwhelming for many writers.

Rather, she suggests, that a rewrite be done in the various stages as the manuscript is being written.  Probably the most important phase for me to do the first rewrite, would be at the completion of the Outline/Summary.  Without a solid skeleton for the writer to craft an interesting and commercially viable plot, the story line and characters could flounder as if in a stiff breeze and result in being uninspired and weak.

Kress advises that you have three different options and each one works for different writers.  There is no sure-fire method set in stone or guaranteed to work for a particular individual.  Each option has its own group of advocates.

One: Rewrite constantly as you work on your manuscript.  This way, you won't become overwhelmed.

Two: Others wait until a scene, chapter or a manuscript is completed and then revise it before continuing.

Three: Finally, there are some writers who like to finish the entire manuscript before doing a rewrite.  The revising and modifications may be voluminous when using the third option but, there are some fine writers that swear by this method.

While I understand the value of all three options in a rewrite, I personally prefer the first, that way; the job of rewriting doesn't seem so daunting.  It also gives me a chance to rethink character, scenes and storyline on a continuing basis, making adjustments as I go.

At any rate, the choice is yours.  The most important for writers to be cognizant of, is that rewriting is the only way for most good writers, with few exceptions.