Revising is something all writers must do. Completing the first draft, then the second draft, and finally, the final draft is part of the creative process for all writers. More often than not, that fourth and final draft is revised once more. Revising can be mundane, insulting, downright sad and challenging.
However, there are many tips for writers who are perhaps having trouble revising their work.
Why is Revising Such a Challenge?
Typically, revising is such a challenge because many writers are afraid to change what they have written, or they cannot stand that idea of cutting a piece of the story out. Oftentimes, an author just can’t imagine that what they have written isn’t the way it is supposed to be. This makes revising near impossible.
Tips for Revising More Efficiently
The first thing all writers need to utilize is being willing to cut ties. Even if someone likes something within a piece of writing, that does not mean remain. Cut what needs to be cut and move on.
Some additional tips on revising are:
- Edit the work, then edit it again: Edit as many times as needed. If they feel like they have edited it enough, edit it one more time.
- Read it out-loud: Reading a written piece of work out loud is a great tool to catch awkward sentences, grammar mistakes and overall flow.
- Let someone else read it: Letting someone else read a piece of written work can seem frightening, however, it can be crucial. Accept their criticism, and ask for their opinion.
- Use an online grammar tool to triple check: An online grammar tool should be utilized to help cover all of a writer’s bases. However, do not put too much stock into these, they are not always correct.
This link is a fantastic source for additional revision tips.
The Bottom Line on Revising for Writers
Revising is a necessity in the writing world. Whether it is boring or hurtful to hack away at something that has been written, the overall result is usually better. Many places offer revising strategies to help those who just cannot seem to revise their work efficiently.