In all the excitement of early August, I forgot to post about my most recent column at ERWA, "Be a 'Real' Writer: Slowing Down, Seeing Anew, and a Fresh Take on America's Favorite Entree." In this installment I discuss the revision process in what I hope is a rather fresh way. That is, I don't focus on commas or grab-'em first lines or any sort of technical advice you might get in an SAT prep course (which most of us read as b-o-r-i-n-g). Rather I argue that editing your first draft is the time when you really take control of the story and shape it with your unique sensibility. Given how horrible my first drafts are, I can assure you I would not be any kind of writer at all, much less a "real" one without the magic of revision. Let me know what you think.
Oh, and the photograph above has nothing to do with revision, I'm just posting some favorites from my boudoir session with Laura Boyd!
2 comments:
A spot on essay, Donna. Very near and dear to me, especially at this particular time where I am in the midst of some heavy editing.
This says it all: I came to see the first draft as the raw dough and the final piece as a fresh-from-the-oven baked cookie. I certainly love to lick the beaters, but a cookie baked to perfection offers a far more sublime satisfaction.
Hey Craig, thanks. You've been an inspiration in this for me all along! And why is it that I'm suddenly feeling like stirring up a batch of cookies? Mmmmm.....
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