Chapter 10 focuses on the revision process. There were a lot of points in this chapter that I found particularly helpful. The first point I found helpful was the advice regarding stepping back from your work. I tend to have a rule while writing where I can only write as much as I read (almost a “restocking of available words”). So, my process is that I write as much as I can, resulting in a finished product or something close, and then I put it down and read for a few days to get a new perspective or to read words that aren’t my own. Then, I go back to my project and finish/edit it. I’ve found that, for me at least, this approach really helps me, especially since I can be overly critical of my work to the point where I get into a mental rut. Taking a break from one’s work is incredibly important for the editing process because it allows you to distance yourself from the words that a “past you” wrote. I also appreciated the sections that gave a quick summary of what you should be looking for during revisions, such as character developments, point of views, description, etc. While previous chapters went over these topics, I like how the author of this section summarized the truly important aspects of each chapter. For me, I think this chapter will be helpful to glance back at to make sure I’m really meeting the “requirements” of each section while I’m editing. The last point I found helpful was the advice regarding editors. I’m lucky enough to have a person in my life who isn’t afraid to be honest and critical about my writing, but it’s also important to have a person who understands craft elements to look at your work. That’s why I’ve really appreciated this class because I’ve never had an opportunity to share my work with other writers who face the same difficulties and challenges when writing creatively.
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