When I rewrite I first go through with a red pen and make notes on a hard copy. Basic stuff.
I change whatever I think I should.
After I’m done, I set it aside for a week.
When I’m ready to put those changes into my computer for my next draft, I place the hard copy in front of me. I go page-by-page, line-by-line and put the changes in.
Often I get lost on screen. I begin rewriting and often forget about the hard copy in front of me. I forget to reference the changes I’ve already made and just go on instinct, just like with the hard copy, the first time…
I’ll be on page 64 on screen and page 59 on paper.
This is easy to do, especially if it’s a first draft.
So when I finally notice I’m way ahead of myself. I’ll stop and go back. I want to be sure I got all the fixes.
To my amazement, very often, the changes I made on the hard copy are already in the computer.
Again, I would have no way of remembering these little changes. But for some reason, I made them twice. Without even knowing it.
This blows my mind.
If I go through my script ten times, with ten different hard copies, make ten separate “rewrites”– would I still make the same exact changes every time?
For some reason this gives my writing confidence. That maybe I’m not just bullshitting as I go…
It’s almost an “unconsciousness” effort.
Does this ever happen to you?
Always be writing. Everyday.
-REH
