I’m obsessing (possibly in an unhealthy way) over the concept of using multiple drafts to develop a piece of writing.
I’d like to blame this podcast and this wonderful book by this wonderful writing coach for this change of heart… but I don’t, really.
I read over what I had written for today’s post and – guess what – I want to write at least one more draft of it.
So let me send you off to a couple of great blog posts I’ve read this week by the Communicatrix and Justine Musk (you may find Justine’s title offensive, though). I think you’ll enjoy those.
See you next week!
No related posts.
I find myself not only rewriting more but dumping some posts that are almost written. That’s incredibly tough for me – I can’t even walk out of a terrible movie or stop reading a book I hate. To throw out my own work is gut-wrenching.
Still, I think you sometimes have to be able to say “This just isn’t what I wanted it to be” and start over. The key, for me, has been recognizing that that work wasn’t wasted. The writing itself was still valuable and a building block for whatever I’ll write next.
Dr. Pete recently posted..Everyone Is Better Than You
I feel your pain, believe me. That’s why I didn’t publish what I had planned to publish today.
The danger that I see in multiple iterations of rewriting is to STOP rewriting but maybe you just get sick of doing it.
It’s tough, because any approach can be counterproductive. For me, it’s starting that’s hard – finishing is no problem. So, dumping an occasional finished product is good for me. There are probably people who almost finish and then scrap everything out of perfectionism. For them, the same tactic is destructive. That’s what makes creative advice so difficult.
Dr. Pete recently posted..Shut It Off- Day 26
Multiple – and varying – drafts can really help nail down ideas and ensure that you’re covering all of the details you need to.
But I think you are absolutely correct Mark, the problem with multiple drafts is knowing when you need to stop and just get something out the door.
Have two or three drafts of something seems like it would be enough, mixed with notes and such, but if you have ten drafts lying around you may need to address whether you’re creatively stuck or just procrastinating.
Yeah, ten seems like a lot. I’ve seen three drafts floated about as a possible sweet spot, but it probably depends on the length of your document.
[...] But I’m finding value in Don Murray’s ideas and other people do, too. The other night I started writing a section of my new project. I didn’t have an outline. I was thinking while writing. Many of the words were fumbling, superfluous and will never see the light of day. However, they directed my thoughts and they led me towards a breakthrough realization for my project. But it will take more drafts to realize. That’s the price I’m willing to pay for this project. [...]