Friday's Writer's Tip - Revision -- Draft writers

Last week was about the two kinds of Writers. This week we'll look at the advantages of being a draft writer. Next week we'll look at the revise as you go type.

Not all draft writers work the same way. Some write out the rough draft on paper and the second draft is done on the computer. Others do many drafts by hand. Some print out the rough draft and makes changes until it must be typed again so they can see where they are. The main advantage of choosing this way to write is that the story is down and the revisions can be done chapter by chapter, scene by scene or looking at things like a dialogue revision, a character revision, a plot revision and as many drafts as it takes to make the story the best that can be done.

The rough draft gives the writer a place to start.

Now for some advantages.

1.A bit of psychology as the writer can say this is only rough.
2.The thrill of new discoveries and the excitement of seeing a story unfold.
3. A 2qy to discover where the story is going. For some draft writers the rough draft is little more than a lengthy synopsis sometimes pages and pages long.
4.Having a rough draft lets the writer know the entire story from beginning to end.
5.The early drafts give room to try new directions that may or may not work. Remember "it's only a draft."
The time between drafts allows the writer time to change directions if needed, to plan new scenes or to develop sketchy ones into full and satisfying scenes.

I think of draft writers as painters starting with the base coat and adding the details to make the story, like a painting, come alive.

Friday's Writer's Trip - Revisions three ways

Revision is what makes a story shine. There are three kind of revisions - though actually the two sort of go along with the way one writes. Not talking here about if one plots or one is a panster. The revision depends on if they're a draft writer or not.

The draft revision is the first. This means the story is told from beginning to end and then revisions are made with each draft. A writer who uses this system may have as many drafts as it takes. I'm this kind and there are usually five after the initial rough draft. Think of a painter as they layer more and more daubs of paint to the picture until the scene is revealed.

The block revision is the second type. Here the writer hones each scene before they go on to the next. Sometimes they revise each sentence before they move on. By the time they reach the end they have a near perfect story.

Strengthening revision is used by both and comes after the book is finished. Here the writer reads for story, characters, looking for plot holes, choosing more expressive words. This is like the final polishing before the story is sent out into the cold, sometimes cruel world.

Which kind of revision is your choice? Remember neither is wrong and neither is right. What matters is what works for you and that you polish your story to near perfection. Remember there are no perfect stories. Each one you write is perfect at that time but when looking back one can always find something to change.

Next week one of the three will be further explored.