If
you’re a regular reader of this blog, chances are you’ve read previous posts
about my biggest revision secret, but it seems like a good time for a quick
reminder. 


What’s
the secret? After I finish a rough draft, I let it “chill out.” In other words,
I don’t start revising immediately. I take a break from the manuscript.


Why
is this such an important part of my writing process? Because I have a lot in
common with young writers. 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.


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 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.