Chapter 1: The Value of Revising

This article is part of an ongoing series aimed at offering daily insights and advice for writers. Writing is a personal journey, and while everyone has their own perspectives, the tip shared here is one that I believe will be beneficial to many. Feel free to contribute your own insights in the comments section.

Don’t hesitate to refine and rewrite your drafts. It’s common to require several iterations before arriving at a version that truly satisfies you. Very few people can produce a flawless piece on their first try; most high-caliber articles and books undergo numerous revisions and reworkings.

While it may be challenging and at times discouraging, it’s essential for many of us to revisit and enhance our initial attempts. Input from editors, friends, or family can be invaluable, as a fresh perspective often highlights aspects we might overlook or offers constructive feedback that elevates the final product.

In today’s digital age, creating new drafts is significantly simpler than it was in the era of typewriters and ink. I recall my father tirelessly working on a typewriter, managing carbon copies, and using Tippex to correct errors! Thankfully, modern technology has streamlined this process.

As an intriguing contrast to the notion that creating great literature requires extensive time, Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac is known to have penned "On The Road," a seminal work from that period, in one sitting. However, it’s worth noting that he was under the influence of amphetamines at the time, so his method is not one to emulate. You can explore more about this fascinating story in the links below:

And learn more about the Beat Generation of writers here:

Returning to the primary focus of this tip, don’t shy away from revising your initial drafts. Remember the old adage: practice leads to perfection!

I hope you find this article helpful, and I welcome any writing tips you’d like to share in the comments.

Previous Tips:

• Day 26 — Understanding Medium Etiquette
• Day 25 — The Use of Informal Language
• Day 24 — Adding Energy to Your Prose
• Day 23 — Dedication: Time, Place, Space
• Day 22 — The Importance of Spell-checking and Proofreading
• Day 21 — Unspoken Guidelines for Medium
• Day 20 — George Orwell's Six Writing Style Tips
• Day 19 — The Significance of Engagement
• Day 18 — Responding to Comments
• Day 17 — Fostering Interaction
• Day 16 — The Critical First Sentence
• Day 15 — Crafting Compelling Headlines
• Day 14 — Selecting Your Subject Matter
• Day 13 — Making Time for Writing
• Day 12 — The Role of Deadlines
• Day 11 — Effective Layouts
• Day 10 — Finding Niches for Success
• Day 9 — Conducting Your Own Research
• Day 8 — Choosing Your Topic Wisely
• Day 7 — Learning from Successful Models
• Day 6 — The Importance of Planning
• Day 5 — The Role of Location
• Day 4 — Utilizing Dictionaries and Thesauruses
• Day 3 — The Power of Quotations
• Day 2 — Expanding Your Vocabulary
• Day 1 — The Importance of a Notebook

As always, thank you for reading. Consider joining the new Facebook group "Medium Matters," where writers can connect and support each other by sharing articles.