Simplifying Complexity: Streamlining the Revision Process

In the world of writing, the process of revising a story can be just as important as the initial drafting. Author Lisa Morris, who authored the book "Using Short Stories to Plot a Rough Draft", shares her insightful approach to revising a story.

According to Morris, the revision process is a meticulous journey, broken down into several stages. The first draft serves as a place to focus on various aspects of the story, such as character development, world building, plot, internal cohesion, writing style, and pacing. During this stage, the author emphasises the importance of getting everything down, without worrying too much about the order or finer details.

Once the first draft is complete, Morris suggests moving on to the second draft. This is where the author revises for characters, focusing on their arches, interactions, consequences, growth or change, and motivation. The third draft is dedicated to the plot, with a focus on acts, turning points, pacing, scenes, and sequels.

The fourth draft is all about maintaining internal integrity and world building, ensuring consistency and adherence to the laws and rules of the story's universe. The fifth and final draft is a line-by-line editing process, where the author polishes the writing to perfection.

Morris advises against attempting to do everything at once, as it may lead to confusion and frustration. Instead, she recommends approaching revision by concentrating on one thing at a time. Fiddling with pacing and correcting for inner cohesion can be done without affecting other aspects of the story, but it's not always the case.

One key takeaway from Morris's approach is the interconnectedness of different aspects of a story. Changes in certain aspects can impact other aspects. For example, changing the plot can affect the pacing, and changing the characters can affect the plot.

However, Morris asserts that changes to the order of sentences have minimal impact on the story, except for the reader's experience of the world. This underscores the importance of ensuring that each sentence contributes to the overall narrative and the characters' development, rather than just the sequence in which they appear.

In conclusion, Morris's revision approach offers a systematic and effective way to refine a story, ensuring that each aspect is given the attention it deserves. By following this process, writers can create compelling narratives that captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.