Back in 2011, I wrote a series of blog posts describing
my writing process. I compiled them on pinterest, so it’s easy for educators to access them as a group and
share them with students.
One of those posts
described a step that I call “Let It Chill Out,” which basically means that I
take time away from a manuscript after I complete the first draft. Lately,
teachers have been showing a lot of interest in this step, so I’d like to spend
a bit more time explaining why I think it’s so important for me—and for young
writers.
described a step that I call “Let It Chill Out,” which basically means that I
take time away from a manuscript after I complete the first draft. Lately,
teachers have been showing a lot of interest in this step, so I’d like to spend
a bit more time explaining why I think it’s so important for me—and for young
writers.
Really, I’m no different from a younger
writer. When I finish a draft, I think to myself: “Phew, am I ever glad to be
done! I worked long and hard on this draft, and I think it’s pretty good. In
fact, maybe it doesn’t need any revisions at all.”
writer. When I finish a draft, I think to myself: “Phew, am I ever glad to be
done! I worked long and hard on this draft, and I think it’s pretty good. In
fact, maybe it doesn’t need any revisions at all.”
If the voice in my head is saying: “It’s good
enough. It’s good enough,” am I going to notice parts of the manuscript that
need work? No way.
enough. It’s good enough,” am I going to notice parts of the manuscript that
need work? No way.
But if I take a break. If I spend two days or
two weeks or even two months working on something else, I can come back to the
first manuscript with fresh eyes and an open mind. In other words, I’m ready to
revise. I’m ready to re-envision the writing.
two weeks or even two months working on something else, I can come back to the
first manuscript with fresh eyes and an open mind. In other words, I’m ready to
revise. I’m ready to re-envision the writing.
Obviously, students can’t take a 2-month
hiatus from every piece of writing they do, but why not let their writing chill
during lunch and recess or over a weekend or during a week of school vacation? And wouldn’t it be great if, near the end of the school year,
young writers could revisit a couple of pieces they wrote in September or
October.
hiatus from every piece of writing they do, but why not let their writing chill
during lunch and recess or over a weekend or during a week of school vacation? And wouldn’t it be great if, near the end of the school year,
young writers could revisit a couple of pieces they wrote in September or
October.
Not only would they be more open to making improvements, they could
also see how much they’ve grown as writers during the school year. I think it’s
worth a try.
also see how much they’ve grown as writers during the school year. I think it’s
worth a try.
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