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RE: Writing Tip #21: Editing Your Work with Fresh Eyes

in #writing4 years ago (edited)

Thank you, @Jayna, for providing us with these tools.

And your remark about how the brain works in two halves is very interesting. Now I understand how I see things differently after taking breaks (even days), especially in terms of content and wording.

I'm used to reviewing texts after taking breaks but I always get the feeling that the text may have something wrong if not reviewed by another person.

In another note, while grammar and spelling are highly important, the content itself and even the essence of a text are key when reviewing a text, emotionally and psychologically speaking. It's like Jayna says:

It's common to feel good about what you write when you complete a draft. And you should. It's an achievement. But a draft is just a draft. That is one step in the process of developing a good story. Even famous writers need to edit their work to improve their writing

As we say in Spanish "dejar enfriar un texto" (letting a text get cold or rest), is the best way to get good results in your writing. I'd like to quote Horacio Quiroga on this particular point in the Decalogue of the Perfect Storyteller where he states the following:

Do not write under the influence of emotion. Let it die out, and then evoke it later. If you are able to revive it as it was, you are already halfway there.

I highly recommend reading this very short text as it contains interesting remarks on this matter. (it's originally in Spanish but this is a good translation)

Thank you again, to Jayna and @theinkwell, for leading us in the path to a good writing 😊