To Write Is Stellar, to Rewrite Is Heavenly

There’s a familiar contention in the writing world.

Most writers don’t think twice about it, others offer a different take.

Rewriting.

For some, the word makes them shudder with horror. Thinking back to the old days of typewriters where every word was money.

For others, it’s where they do their best work.

I love rewriting.

While ‌getting the foundation down as best you can is the optimal way to write–at least for me–there isn’t a right way to go about it.

By all means, get the story down. That’s the important part.

But don’t leave a story that isn’t as successful as it can be. Even solid foundations need patches and repairs as time goes on.

Think of rewriting … like focusing on the stars on a dark night with a telescope. Rewriting and the starry sky don’t seem related in any capacity, but I’m heading somewhere with this.

When you find an astronomical object, say something like Jupiter, or even one as close as the Moon, which is easy to align a telescope or binoculars with, you change the focus until the image becomes clear.

A first draft is that fuzzy, beginning observation, where things aren’t ‌there yet. You’ve got the planet in your sights, but it takes fine-tuning to bring everything into focus. Subsequent passes allow a writer to clarify their intent and meaning. Words are powerful, elegant weapons in the hands of a writer.

By being abundantly clear, we can build upon themes and subtext.

I prefer writing in a lyrical style, though not purple-prose-level style.

Sometimes the writing requires heart surgery, precise and to the point. But making things abstract and whimsical has its benefits, too.

For my Orchestrylus Odyssey series, I’m fond of using elaborate descriptions and floaty language that isn’t always to the point. But that’s because music is an art which requires ears to hear and eyes to see. At least in this world. Because the music corresponds to colors and you might say it uses the chromatic scale in a musical and colorful sense simultaneously.

On further passes through the novel, you can build upon these descriptions and make it your own.

Writing something for the first time can be awesome. I’ve written things for the first time that are right the first time.

But that’s a rare occurrence.

Often, it takes days upon days, or even months upon months, of rewriting to the highest caliber possible.

Writing is often a game of words, and sometimes that’s fun. But story structure, character progression, and motivation require a grounded, mature approach. You can’t play the game forever, someone has to win. Step back and say. Who is this character? Why is he or she doing this? What is stopping him or her from achieving what they want? How can I flip the script on its head and make things harder for them?

These things take time. It might not be clear from a first draft what it is these characters need to grow. Even with an extensive outline, writing needs to be organic in some ways.

Rewriting isn’t supposed to be a chore. It’s often what we need to purify the dross and turn it into a usable metal. Sometimes that means making pure gold, other times pure silver, and even a sliver less than pure metal, depending on what the story requires.

Sometimes mystery needs to shine through, and revealing all your cards isn’t the best approach in every case.

I recently had to rewrite an entire story from the ground up, because far too many answers came far too early and it took away that questioning factor most stories need. Intrigue is essential, whether that’s through setting, world-building, or what made the character the way they are.

To say this can happen in one draft alone is daft. Not that an author can’t do it, seeing as many authors edit as they go. Coming back to the story opens things up enough to go in new directions and expand upon themes.

It’s when you’re deep in the work that the beauty shines through the most.

When you get to the end of the story, and you say: “Wow. I can’t wait to go back and have more fun building upon what I’ve created a firm foundation for.”

When you look at the novel and realize you’ve created something truly beautiful and you can’t wait to share it with the world.

So, write away.

Rewrite as much as you can handle, knowing the final product will be worth the effort.

But remember, leave the parts of the story that are uniquely yours.

If you find your voice, the universe is at your fingertips.

Or that one.

That’s the joy of writing.

 We get to choose our words carefully, and we get to visit the places we never dreamed of.

Rewriting is one facet of that notion that we can’t ignore if we want to make amazing stories.

And isn’t that the point?

To inspire, and show people a new world, or even a new way to see this one.

You’ve got the pen, so rewrite a ‌tale or two.

Because this world is waiting for your worlds.