To Revise or Not to Revise: That is the Question. . .

I think there are three points in a writer's creative life: there's the point where they begin an entirely new project, the point when they finish a project, and the point when they revisit old projects, revise them and give them new life. I usually have work in all three stages. As you've probably guessed from my last few blogs, I'm focusing on the third stage lately.

Today I spent the day transfering a screenplay from my old PC to my newer Mac only to find that I had already done it about a year ago. This gives you an idea of the amount of writing files I have saved on my computer (and I have a pretty clear filing system too!) So, I spent some time today going through the first 25 pages making sure that the formatting was correct (a lot of it was not from the conversion) and making notes on things I want to change.

What I decided upon finishing those 25 pages is that I have another revision coming up once I get though checking the format. Now, there are a lot of writers who never stop revising and never send out their work. I'm not one of those. I pick a point where I want my "final" draft done and I begin sending it out from there.

The truth is, you'll never be done writing. You can revise until the end of time and it can drive you insane. What will happen with your work once it's purchased? An editor or director will change everything anyway and make it even better. They'll see things you couldn't because you were too close to it.

Of course, that doesn't mean that you send out garbage. My work goes through at least four to six drafts before being sent out. I make sure my plot is strong, my characters move the story forward, each scene turns, and all my spelling and grammar have been triple checked.

So why am I revising this screenplay now? Well, I wrote it a while ago. It was one of the first screenplays I wrote and I was just learning the format. I now know a lot more about formatting screenplays and about punching lines in a comedy. I know this screenplay can be even better than it is. I'm not getting hung up on minor issues, I'm looking at a major overhaul of format and dialogue. That's what a good revision is about.

Here's a fun exercise for you to try: go back to one of the earliest pieces of writing you have and read it through with a notebook next to you. How would you change it now? Would you rewrite it entirely? If you wouldn't change a thing, I suggest you go out and start learning something new about the craft. Don't fall in love with your words. A great writer once said, "Murder your Darlings." You have to cut out the bad writing (and characters!) to let the good stuff shine through.

So learn the fine line between when to revise and when to move on to the next project. But always keep writing.
Please check out my novel Luke Aloysius:  Bloodline on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD9X8BE