My Path to Revision by Sandi Somers

 

In this month’s prompt, Lorrie Orr asked us to write about our revising and editing process. Her prompt has given me a lot of thought. I’ve written on revising, but don't think I've ever written a “how I write” article. It’s a new sub-genre for me.

Formulating a work. I usually start with a personal story that leads into a reflection. I first ask the Lord for clear and integrated ideas. The more clarity I have, the easier the revision process becomes.

However, if my ideas aren't solidified or are scattered, revision turns out to be more complex. For this post, it was difficult to discover that entry point, and it took several tries to find one.

Discovering the structure. Structuring doesn’t always come easy for me. I relate to what Annie Dillard wrote in The Writing Life:

“A work in progress quickly becomes feral. It reverts to a wild state overnight…It is a lion you cage in your study. As the work grows, it gets harder to control; it is a lion growing in strength. You must visit it every day and reassert your mastery over it.”

One key I’ve learned is that each piece of writing is unique, needing to be organized and developed according to its purpose and meaning. I often follow the wisdom of the Estonian Proverb, “The work will teach you how to do it.” I learn as I go along.

What does this developmental process entail? Cutting away extraneous ideas. Filling in black holes. Rearranging sequence to make it flow. Sharpening the intro. Clarifying ideas. Discovering a satisfying, uplifting conclusion.

Refining. Once I have the basic structure sorted out, I can better visualize the whole article. I know I’m well on my way to polishing it. However, every revision needs several reworkings. I write and revise, write and revise. I’m no different from other writers. It has been said that Billy Graham revised his sermons up to twelve times. Ernest Hemingway once said that he revised the ending of one of his books 39 times. Someone asked him why. “To get the words right,” he answered.

Refining means reshaping my thoughts, adding the five senses to make it come alive, reworking sentences, and developing insights that add depth and meaning (and for me, attacking my nemesis—repeating the same words). Fact checking is necessary where needed. Setting it aside for a few days or weeks, if possible, brings a new freshness to my words. Throughout the whole process, I’ve started using my “Read aloud” link to smooth over unexpected ruts.

Finishing. Vaclav Havel, the once-playwright who became president of the Czech Republic, summarized the revision process beautifully:

... how to make it more precise, what to add, how to balance it, how to enrich it, and how to give it greater stylistic elegance.

Coming to the place where an item “sings” gives me great joy. Then pressing “Send” is, as one writer said, like delivering a baby. The work is finished. My prayers go out to my future readers.

Relying on the Lord’s guidance. I’ve often thought of how some authors say they saturate their writing with prayers. This post has brought to the fore how much more I need to ask the Lord for specific guidance at each step, for each day’s tasks. His structure. His refinement. His message to my readers. He is faithful and will do it.

Sandi Somers writes mostly nonfiction—essays, devotions, and inspirational articles. Her purpose is to encourage and inspire her readers to become devoted followers of Jesus. She writes from her home in Calgary.