How Revision Reveals the Artist Within

“The first draft reveals the art; revision reveals the artist.” — Michael Lee

You know that saying, “the devil is in the details?” With writing, the devil and I have become good pals.

There was a time when I felt like a failed writer, adrift in a sea of half-formed ideas and clumsy sentences. In desperation, I turned to studying the art of editing, hoping to salvage my tangled mess of words. The irony is that becoming a better editor is what made me into the writer I am today. 

Even more ironically, the more I learned about editing, the less I found myself obsessing over the copy editing and line editing I once thought were paramount. Instead, I began focusing almost entirely on developmental editing, ensuring I had my rails set properly before pulling out of the station of divine inspiration.

Self-editing, especially in a first draft, is immensely counterproductive. Your first draft should be allowed to be a wilderness, a chaotic sprawl where anything and everything is possible. After all, translating your thought-streams into something that can be read and understood by other human beings – and potentially other intelligent life, terrestrial and otherwise – is much easier said than done.

For me, the editing process is cyclical and can be broken down into three stages: substance, structure, and style. First, get all the substance onto the page. Then, organize it in a logical order. Finally, refine the style. Rinse and repeat.

All artists should recognize the value of revision as part of the creative process, yet revision remains a mysterious task to most people who don’t make their living through creativity. When you look at your own work and have to decide what to keep and what to change, how do you determine which parts are essential and which are expendable? 

Here we’ll discuss how revision reveals the artist within by taking an in-depth look at both the technical process of revision and its effect on the finished work. We’ll aim to find ourselves the tools to make our writing better without losing our original vision in the process.

Some writers don’t like revision because they’re afraid it will get in the way of their writing process. However, revision can ultimately reveal your hidden potential as an artist, allowing you to express yourself more fully through the written word. So, I encourage to use these insights to improve your writing and bring out your inner artist with each passing revision.

The Three Stages of Editing

Stage 1: Substance

The first stage of editing is all about substance—getting every thought, idea, and snippet of dialogue onto the page without restraint. At this point, it’s crucial to let go of any self-imposed limitations and allow your creativity to flow freely. The first draft is a space for exploration and experimentation, where the wilderness of your mind can roam unchecked. 

In this stage, we must focus on translating thought-streams into text. Don’t worry about coherence or clarity just yet. Our goal now is to capture the raw material of our stories or arguments. This process can be messy and chaotic, but it’s a necessary part of discovering the full scope of our ideas. It’s vital we allow ourselves the freedom to write badly on our first go. The first draft isn’t about perfection; it’s about possibility.

Actionable Advice:

• Brain Dump: Let all the ideas spill onto the page. Don’t hold back or censor anything just yet.
• Set a Timer: Allocate a specific amount of time for this stage to prevent overthinking. Write as much as possible within that time.
• Ignore Grammar: Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, or style. Focus purely on content.

Stage 2: Structure

Once we’ve filled the page with substance, it’s time to bring order to the chaos. This stage involves organizing our ideas into a logical sequence, ensuring that the narrative or argument flows smoothly from one point to the next. This is where we lay the tracks for trains of thought.

In the structure stage, we’ll look for patterns and connections between your ideas. Identify the main points and arrange them in a coherent order. This might involve cutting and pasting paragraphs, adding transitions, or rethinking the overall framework of the piece. The goal is to create a roadmap that guides the reader through our writing without confusion or distraction.

Actionable Advice:

• Outline Your Draft: Create a rough outline based on the content already written. Identify key sections and how they relate to each other.
• Group Related Ideas: Cluster similar ideas together and ensure each section has a clear focus.
• Use Headings and Subheadings: Break the text into manageable chunks with headings that guide the reader.

Stage 3: Style

With our content structured and organized, the final stage is to refine the prose. This is where language is polished in order to enhance our unique voices. It’s also to ensure that our writing is engaging and effective. The style stage is about making writing not just functional, but beautiful.

In this stage, pay attention to the finer details of your writing. Focus on word choice, sentence rhythm, and overall tone. This is your opportunity to infuse your personality and artistic flair into the text. Consider how your voice can best convey your message and resonate with your audience. This stage requires patience and a keen eye for detail.

Actionable Advice:

• Read Aloud: Read work out loud to catch awkward phrasing and ensure a natural flow.
• Vary Sentence Length: Mix short and long sentences to create a dynamic rhythm.
• Eliminate Redundancies: Cut unnecessary words and repetitive phrases to keep thewriting concise and impactful.

By cycling through these three stages—substance, structure, and style—we can transform rough drafts into polished pieces of writing that not only conveys our ideas clearly, but also captures your unique voice. Remember, editing isn’t a linear process, but a cyclical one. You may need to revisit each stage multiple times before your work reaches its full potential. Let each revision reveal more of the artist within.

The Transformative Power of Revision

Every piece of writing has a central theme or message, even if it’s not immediately apparent in the first draft. Revision helps us uncover big ideas by allowing us to sift through our thoughts and identify patterns and emotions that relate most strongly with our potential audience.

Finding these big ideas is a process of discovery. As we revise, look for recurring themes, powerful imagery, and emotional undercurrents. These elements often point to the core message of our pieces. By honing in on central ideas, we can create more focused and impactful narratives.

Actionable Advice:

• Brainstorm Key Themes: After the first draft, list the main themes and emotions that emerge.
• Identify Patterns: Look for repetition or recurring motifs while writing that might indicate the big idea.
• Highlight Emotional Moments: Pinpoint sections that evoke strong feelings and consider how they relate to the overall message of the piece.

Redrafting and Refining Ideas

After we’re finished with our first draft, redrafting allows us to refine our ideas, making them clearer and more compelling. It’s about taking these initial thoughts and shaping them into something stronger and more articulate.

Redrafting often involves rethinking our approach to our subjects. This might mean changing the perspective, reordering scenes, or even completely rewriting sections to better convey your message. Each redraft brings us closer to the heart of each story, revealing new layers and insights as we go.

Actionable Advice:

• Revisit the Thesis: Ensure the main argument or narrative thread is clear and well-supported.
• Experiment with Structure: Don’t be afraid to rearrange parts of the work to improve flow and clarity.
• Clarify the Message: Refine these ideas to make the message more precise and impactful.

Accepting Feedback and Constructive Criticism

Feedback is a crucial part of the revision process. It provides new perspectives and can highlight areas for improvement that we might have missed. Accepting constructive criticism, even when it’s not what we want to hear, helps us grow as writers and enhances the quality of our work.

Listening to feedback can be challenging, especially when it’s critical. However, it’s important to remember that constructive criticism is meant to help you improve. By considering others’ viewpoints, we can gain valuable insights and make our writing stronger. Of course, there will be criticism that is highly biased and not constructive, but we should still consider it because it may highlight something we missed in our initial run at the subject.

Actionable Advice:

– Seek Diverse Opinions: Get feedback from a variety of readers to gain different perspectives.

– Stay Open-Minded: Approach criticism with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

– Implement Feedback Thoughtfully: Consider how each piece of feedback can be used to improve the work.

Sharing your work with others can be daunting, but it’s an essential step in the revision process. Inviting others to read our writing provides fresh eyes that can spot inconsistencies, unclear passages, and other areas for improvement.

When sharing our work, we allow others to experience your writing from their own perspectives. This can reveal how well your ideas are communicated and whether your message is coming across as intended. Feedback from readers helps you refine your work and ensures it resonates with your audience.

Actionable Advice:

• Choose Trusted Readers: Select individuals who can provide honest and constructive feedback.
• Ask Specific Questions: Guide readers on what to focus on, such as clarity, coherence, or emotional impact.
• Be Grateful for Feedback: Show appreciation for the time and effort these readers put into reviewing work.

Developing a Revision Routine

Consistency is key to effective revision. Developing a routine helps you approach writing work systematically and ensures steady progress. A regular revision practice allows us to stay connected with our writing and continuously improve it.

A revision routine involves setting aside dedicated time for reviewing and refining current work. This practice not only helps us stay disciplined, but also allows us to approach your writing with a fresh perspective each time. Regular revision sessions keep us engaged with the work and help us identify areas for improvement.

Actionable Advice:

– Schedule Revision Time: Allocate specific times in the day or week for revision.

– Set Revision Goals: Define clear objectives for each revision session to stay focused.

– Take Breaks: Allow substantial breaks between revision sessions to maintain a fresh perspective.

Remember, revision isn’t about perfection but about progress. Each round of editing brings us closer to the essence of the work we’re creating. Embrace the process, trust your own instincts, and let each revision reveal the artists within us.

Closing Thoughts

Revision is much more than a mechanical step in the writing process. In fact, revision is at the very heart of writing, where raw ideas are transformed into a cohesive and compelling narrative that can stand the test of time. Each draft is a stepping stone, leading us closer to the clarity and precision that will ultimately define our work.

In the initial stages, writing is often driven by passion and inspiration. This raw energy is crucial, but it’s through revision that we find the true essence of our stories. The painstaking process of reworking sentences, reorganizing paragraphs, and refining ideas allows us to uncover the depth and nuance of our thoughts. Revision forces us to confront our assumptions, question our choices, and strive for excellence.

In the first draft, our voices may be clouded by uncertainty or overwhelmed by the sheer volume of ideas. Revision strips away the extraneous, leaving behind a clear and distinct voice that rings with authenticity. Through this iterative process, we learn to trust our instincts and develop confidence in our unique perspectives.

Also, revision teaches us the value of patience and perseverance. Writing isn’t a sprint but a marathon, requiring dedication and resilience, but also learning how to pace ourselves. Each round of revision demands a fresh set of eyes and a willingness to start anew, to see our work from different angles and with renewed purpose. This discipline not only improves our writing but also strengthens our character, instilling a sense of pride in the effort and care we invest in our craft.

Importantly, revision also helps us to learn humility and openness to feedback. It can be a humbling experience to invite others into our creative process, to accept their critiques, and to use their insights to enhance our work. This collaborative spirit enriches our writing and broadens our understanding of our audience. By remaining open to constructive criticism, we become more adaptable and receptive, qualities essential to grow in any creative endeavor.

Ultimately, the revision process transforms our writing from a rough sketch into a polished masterpiece and transforms us from tentative scribes into confident artists. When we embrace the revision process, we learn to enjoy the art of writing in its fullest sense. First drafts are merely the beginning, not the end. Thus, true artistry lies in our willingness to refine and perfect what we’ve laid out before us. As we labor over each word, sentence, and paragraph, we’re crafting a part of ourselves that we intend to share with others.

So, as we embark on the next round of revisions, celebrate the progress you’ve made personally and look forward to the discoveries yet to come. Trust the revision process to bring you closer to the heart of your art. Do so, and watch as your writing—and your self—evolve into something truly remarkable.

~ Amelia Desertsong