The hottest Revision Substack posts right now

Revision is a critical part of writing where your draft transforms into a book. It's exciting because you see your ideas take shape, but it can also feel tough as you have to make tough choices about what stays and what goes.
Writers typically fall into two categories: cutters and expanders. Cutters like to trim down their drafts, while expanders focus on building up their stories with more detail.
It's important to maintain a balanced narrative throughout your story. This means looking at how much dialogue, description, and action you have in each chapter to ensure the pacing and flow of the book feels consistent.

The process of writing can involve hitting reset on a project, revising and starting over.
Feedback from others, like editors, is crucial in shaping and improving a book.
Writing is a journey where initial ideas may evolve through revisions and feedback.

Writing for different audiences requires varying levels of detail and tone.
Understanding and anticipating the responses of an imaginary reader while writing can enhance the work's impact.
The concept of audience in writing is evolving, influenced by factors like market demand and virtual identity.

Rough drafts are like fresh powder for the imagination.
Revision can be exhausting and frustrating, but it works in making a story better.
Revision helps in transforming a story from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

Editing is a complex process that involves both line editing and structural editing.
Metaphors play a significant role in writing but should not be mistaken for the actual process of revising.
Approach editing with the right spirit, aiming for a balance between being too harsh and too lax to bring out your best work.

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It is possible to over-revise your writing, which can lead to loss of freshness and spontaneity. It's important to find a balance between revising too much and too little.
Taking your writing too far in revisions can help you understand your prose better. Push past the point of reason to see the impact of over-revising, then dial back and restore the essence.
Maintaining freshness in subsequent drafts improves with time and practice. Developing the ability to see your work with fresh eyes more quickly is a skill that can be honed over time.

Beliefs can be organic or compositus, with different approaches to spreading and defending them
Organic beliefs are more open and less defensive than compositus beliefs, making them better at adapting and working with other ideas
Compositus beliefs can lead to group fragmentation under tough times, while organic beliefs are more adaptable and open to revision

Revision and editing of writing can be a tedious and complicated process, but ultimately focusing on clarity and meaning is most important.
Responsibility and decision-making, whether in writing or in historical events like WWII, can be daunting, but individuals can adapt and overcome challenges.
Facing difficult situations and making tough decisions, whether in writing, leadership, or personal adversity, often requires resilience and the ability to adjust to new circumstances.

Malcolm Gladwell's revised account of the David vs Goliath story challenges the traditional interpretation.
The focus shifts to David being the skilled underdog rather than Goliath being a formidable giant.
The original story's key lesson is that real underdogs need unexpected exceptionalism to defeat giants.

Don't worry about making your first draft perfect. It's okay if it sounds rough; just get your ideas down on paper.
Use creative techniques to keep your writing flowing, like mind mapping or breaking things down into smaller tasks.
Accept that your writing process involves revisions. Embrace the messy first drafts as a step towards creating something great.