Ed Lynskey's Blog: Cracked Rearview Mirror - Posts Tagged "revisions"

Every writer has to find their own way in creating their particular product: in my case, novels. The most laborious step in the the process is revising the work-in-progress (WIP), no question.

I've read or heard of those writers who get it right the first time they keystroke in the words. That must count as a huge blessing, and I can only watch in awe of those authors.

But my drummer goes by a different beat. I'm forced to march to it. So, I do extensive rounds of edits. Over and over. Later in the going, I'll print out the WIP. It always looks different on the paper page. Why I don't know. It just does.

Lots of verbiage ends up on the cutting room floor. But then a lot also gets added. I don't use any special technique when revising. No scented candles are lit or soothing jazz plays there in the background.

It's just straight ahead grunt work. Hours and hours of it. The best thing I can take away from doing it at all is a sense of accomplishment. And I do.