Revise, Revise, Revise

Revise Revise Revise

Sometimes the harder part of writing is revising. This is where you take your creativity and shape into a more logical, flowing form. There’s no one way to revise a piece so here are several techniques to help you in the process.

1. Read it out loud
One way to check your work for grammatical errors is to read your work out loud. If you’ve missed a word or used the wrong word, it’ll often show up when you read it aloud. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself giving dialogue inflection, which you can then decide whether you want to write in. There are many positives to this technique, it’s the one I recommend you do first after writing your rough draft, and then do it again at multiple points in the revising process. Sometimes, it’s fun to get a friend to read through the story with you, each of you taking different characters. Depending on the story, you could try acting it out. This could help you with physical descriptions if this is an area you are having trouble with. It can also help with dialogue as someone may adlib the perfect line.

2. What do they look like? Where are they?
Some people, myself included, have trouble with description. Often my rough drafts do not include any description of the characters and very little about the surroundings. Go through the piece and ask the what and where questions. Now if you choose not include much description, that is up to you, but make sure it is a conscious choice as a writer and not just something you left out.

3. Who are the characters?
Depending upon the length of the piece, it will be more or less important to be detailed about the characters. However, even the shortest of stories illustrate some details of characters. Make sure you go through and have the information you want in there. For longer pieces, definitely do character sketches. You may not use all of the information, but it will make your characters more realistic and alive.

4. When, Why and How?
The other two W’s and the H. These cover the plot of the story. When is the story taking place? This could have been included in the Where question above as it does pertains to location and describing where the characters are. As for Why, well, that’s the point of the plot, right? Why are the characters doing whatever it is they are doing? How are they going to achieve their goals, overcoming whatever obstacle(s) you have placed before them? Does it all make sense? Does it progress logically? Or if you want a more emotional story, does it move you?

4. Let it alone for a while.
No matter how little time you have, it is best to let the piece sit for a while before trying to revise. If this is for a daily contest, try to let it sit for an hour or two before reading over it to revise. If you have month, give it a couple of days. Longer time periods, let it sit for a longer amount. This will help you approach it with a clear head. One piece I wrote was so emotional for me, I was too connected to it, that I couldn’t revise it for six years. "Living Death (Revised)" 

5. Get reviews/feedback
That’s one of the wonderful parts of WDC – reviewers. You’ve revised the piece a couple of times, but you’re not sure what else needs fixing. Asking for or buying reviews is a good way to go. Be specific in your request if there is an area bothering you. Just make sure that you’ve at least gone over your piece for basic spelling and grammar issues. If this is an area you have trouble with then ask reviewers that specialize in technical advice to help you before finding reviewers to review the meat of your story. Many reviewers who specialize in plot, character, etc don’t want to get hung up by technical errors.


Do you have any techniques you use for revising? Please email me or write it in the review form below. I will add your technique into this item, giving you credit for it.

Need help to prepare yourself to write a long piece, check out this article.

ID: 1573385   (Rated: E) Preparing to Write  Techniques to prepare yourself to write a long piece. by Silva Shado

Check out my other article which encourages developing the habit of writing every day.

ID: 1573372   (Rated: E) Write Every Day  Writing every day will improve your writing skills and lead you to your goals. by Silva Shado