300 Days of Better Writing

Let me give you three quotes that are particularly appropriate here (one of which you have already seen).

1.       It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly. (C. J. Cherryh)

2.       Rewriting is the essence of writing well: it’s where the game is won or lost. (William Zinsser)

3.       Rewriting is called revision in the literary and publishing trade because it springs from re-viewing, that is to say, looking at your copy again—and again and again. (Jacques Barzun)

After you write, put away your document. Leave it long enough so that you may see it without preconceptions and without remembering what you were thinking at the time. Then look at it again. Does it satisfy your purpose? Have you communicated clearly? Can you make it more concise without losing essential content? Are the ideas logically presented? Keep criticizing it, refining it, until it is as good as it can be. Then give it to others (perhaps your editor) to evaluate.

Here’s the primary point: Your first draft will need editing. The editing process is what will make your document an effective communication tool, regardless of the genre.

Here’s the secondary point: If others recommend (or make) changes, don’t be offended. First drafts will always need improvements.

This is the strategy for day 103 in 300 Days of Better Writing, available at Hostile Editing in PDF, Kindle, and paperback formats.

For a sample of 300 Days of Better Writing and other books by Precise Edit, download the free ebook.