Revision, for me, can be super complex and frustrating. I'm not very good at rereading what I have just written and then being able to re-work it straight away and revise it. After I write something, I don't want to have to look at it for a while so I set it aside. After that, it usually gets workshopped in a class, or I'll have one of my friends read over it.
That's why I appreciate work shop so much. If It didn't happen, it would make revision for me nigh impossible. I'll first reread the grammatical/technical glitches people have pointed out and then I'll go and look at their other critiques. I'll go section by section and look at everyone's comments on it rather than going by each person's entire edit notes. It's easier when I'm looking at all the different suggestions people have made for once piece than it is to just one critique-er's remarks at a time. That way, I have everyone ideas at hand and can decide from there.
After that, I go through it on my own and add bits or take away bits depending on how I think about it on a hard copy. After scribbling my own notes in the margins I will go back and add it into my story on my laptop. At that point, I'll usually have someone look over it again to make sure I've improved it instead of making it worse.
I like to sit and think about my story for a while before I go back and edit, so I feel like revisions can definitely take a while for me to do, especially if i can't decide between two options. I always read everyone's critiques, but I don't agree with them all the time. I'll use people's suggestions that I feel will work with and enhance what I am trying to say in my story. However, even critiques I don't agree with usually give me an idea or different perspective on a part of my story which can lead to completely new ideas.
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you are right to do the meditation--i don't think enough writers do it, but some call hanging out meditation (:))
ReplyDeletee
It's great that you're so open minded when reading critiques with which you don't necessarily agree. That can be difficult for a lot of people, regardless of how the critique my improve a person's writing.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree about having to set a piece aside, though, before being able to edit it right away. Workshops are so useful.... I'll be so sad when I won't have these classes anymore.
Cristina
It's great how important feedback is for your editing process. It's something all of us should value. Also, I like how you take what people say with a grain of salt and only take the advice that you feel would actually enhance your work. Awesome!
ReplyDelete-Anna <3
Like Anna says, sifting through feedback and selecting what you take from it is so important. nice--Michelle
ReplyDeleteit takes forever, it seems, to revise and revise. but so worth it. I like that you go section by section, that's a good method to stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed trying to reading everyone's comments on the entire piece all at once.
ReplyDelete...everyone seems to be setting 'things' aside. LOL. Poor neglected pieces of work. Don't worry, we'll all get around to you.
ReplyDelete