I have not met a single author who has said that writing was easy. There are numerous stories describing the horrors of writer’s block, struggles to fix the plot, wrapping up storylines, or developing characters, but most agree that writing that first draft, now that is the fun part. The euphoric explosion of creativity on the page, large portions of it likely not suitable for the end reader, but a thrill to create. That’s the kicker, though. It isn’t ready for the reader, and revision must take place. Oh, revision is its own kind of hell.
I have known many writers who are so accustomed to the process that they don’t mind revision nearly as much, some enjoying that process of perfecting. Me on the other hand, I run in the opposite direction as soon as the revising stage begins. Not only did I just run the marathon to get that first draft done, but I also had to kill my darlings. Oh, the humanity!
I have to remind myself regularly that even though I greatly despise revision, it is crucial for writing, and I am always happier for it in the end when my story is truly complete.
To force me to do this most dreaded of disciplines involves a lot of just that: discipline. It consists of a lot of self-talk about the importance of the process, forcing myself to sit in that chair and shut down all other distractions. It sounds torturous, especially compared to the blank page of possibilities that comes with the first draft, but I know not a single of my first drafts is publish-ready and never will be. So revision continues.
Besides individual drive and regiment development, what other techniques do you use to have a successful revision process? I’d love to hear them!
Happy Writing!
Chris Kauzlarich 