Do You Hate Rewriting Your Work?

I can change your mind and show you how to love it

Wouldn’t it be great if our first draft of any written piece was “publishing-ready?” Is that an impossible ask? Are not our fresh ideas the best ideas?

Have you been working on a book for a period of time, and you just hate thinking, knowing it needs revisions, but you can’t face it? You are not alone.

No matter the project, all our work needs a second, third, fourth, fifth revision, etc. In fact, some of our best work comes during the revision. We have thought more about the project and developed some new ideas. Once you have created the project, your mind takes off.

Rewrites are probably reason number one for procrastination among writers. But why?

1. Because we have to face the fact that that paragraph needs rework and we have to develop new ideas and solutions. Is that admitting we are not perfect? Maybe.

2. You have a second chance to perfect your words. Very often in life, we don’t get these second chances.

3. Having several drafts gives you many opportunities to improve your writing. You have already done the hard part by creating the initial document. Now you get to play.

4. Break up the revision into bite-size pieces. It reduces the anxiety of looking at a long project all at once. I have more fun that way.

5. You are still in the creation phase of your book, and you have permission to make lots of mistakes. However, the more you revise, the better you get at cleaning out the words that don’t belong. You have lots of permission here. Enjoy it.

6. You don’t have to come up with new information. It’s already down, and you can have fun with it. You have earned the time now to play with your book and try new things. You don’t have to worry about losing anything, as you most likely have several drafts to work from.

Congratulate yourself. The fact that you have a project that is ready for revision is a big deal. Enjoy that and pat yourself on the back.