Skip to main content

Writing is rewriting

You've heard this many times and no, I'm not about to tell you that this isn't true. Rewriting is an inherent part of writing, and it can be a very long process, endless even. Just like writing, rewriting should be planned carefully to ensure that the hours invested fructify. Work smart, instead of hard, with these rewriting tips. 

1. Rewriting vs. editing.

These are two related, but separate processes, and knowing the difference is key to making rewriting more efficient. 


Rewriting entitles changing the core of the story, working on character and story development, structure, and dialogues, while editing is more of a correction process.


Editing consists of fixing formatting errors, grammar and spelling mistakes, and amending scene headers, location, and character names. 


Separating these processes and working on them one at a time will allow you to avoid distractions and get more of your rewrite done. As you rewrite, you can still correct minor errors and typos, as long as it doesn't take more than a minute or two. 


Win the rewriting battle by planning ahead.

2. Focus on one thing at a time.

As you go through your script, again and again, you will find different things that need fixing and you'll be tempted to fix everything as you go along, however, tunnel vision might be quite more effective than looking at the whole thing all the time.

As you plan your rewriting, select one specific topic (character development, structure, dialogue, etc.) and the time you want to spend on it. Work on both rewriting and editing that topic until you're happy with it (or your defined time is up), before moving on to the next topic.


Remember, rewriting can take a very long time, so you need to decide how long you want this process to be. 

3. Take a break

After working for a long time on your script, you might get overwhelmed and lose perspective, making your rewriting job harder. To prevent this, every time you finish a new draft, take a break. I suggest at least a couple of weeks to leave your script alone and move on to other projects or activities. 

If you want to keep working on your project, you can use this time to watch similar movies or read screenplays, but it's also a good idea to just set it aside. 


4. Get help

Feedback during the rewriting phase is very important because it will allow you to see things from a different perspective and explore areas of opportunity that you might have missed.


This feedback doesn't always have to be professional, you can share your work with friends and family even if they don't know the industry and still get good insight, however, at a certain stage of rewriting, professional help might make the difference towards a completed, polished script.


A great way to get this feedback is through screenwriter groups, these put together people working on screenwriting projects who share their feedback and help brainstorm new ideas. These groups are meant to be a safe space to juggle creative thoughts and push you to keep writing even if you don't have a specific deadline. 

I organize a couple of these groups, where people from all over the world meet online to discuss their projects. Feel free to contact me for info on them.


Another way of getting professional insight is through a Script Consultant, check out this other article to learn more about them and what they do.

Rewriting shouldn't be a burden, creating a plan and following a schedule will make it easier and definitely more enjoyable.

Happy (re)writing!
Regine




* This blog will soon be moving out to a new address, subscribe to my mailing list to be the first to know.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Teen Me Was a Creative Genius (and How Adult Me Can Be Too)

I’ve never felt more creative than when I was a teenager, and lately, I’ve been wondering why that was. It's not a single reason, of course, but I can pinpoint a few key factors. Firstly, I was in school. Every day, I attended a place where I could meet people, learn new things, and participate in group dynamics. Most importantly, I felt a sense of belonging among like-minded peers. High school and college created an environment where I felt safe and confident to imagine and create. I could write for long hours, often late at night or between classes and activities. It wasn’t something I forced; it just happened naturally. Being around real people and situations sparked inspiration for my stories. I wrote plays, novels, poems, screenplays—anything and everything. I didn’t always review or share my work, but I put it on paper and constantly sought stories everywhere. I don’t think I had more spare time than I do now as an adult, but somehow, I found the time to write. Which brings m...
Post a Comment
Read more

5 habits you can change TODAY to be a Better Screenwriter

Introduction: What Makes Habits So Powerful? Habits give order to our lives, they help us reach our objectives without feeling overwhelmed, and allow us to prioritize the many things we have going on. With all the options we have on a daily basis, having habits and routines in place can save us valuable time since they help us make immediate decisions, based on choices we've made in the past.  When you determine that you want to go to the gym every day, the choice of waking up early is easier to make, since you have already made the bigger decision of working out. How the Power of Habit Changes Our Creative Lives Creative minds tend to wander around and sometimes it's hard to stick to routines or create new habits. However, habits have a powerful effect on our creativity and can really make a difference when it comes to reaching our artistic goals.  Procrastination, creative blocks, and other affections for creativity can easily be shifted by implementing simple, but efficient...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Write a Screenplay Outline the Easy Way

Writing a screenplay is a difficult process, but it’s made easier with an outline. An outline is a roadmap for your script. It gives you the full story from beginning to end and helps you understand how each scene fits into the story. This way, you can see your story and make sure it works without distractions such as dialogue or descriptions. It's also a great way to get your thoughts in order and figure out what direction to take next if you get stuck. Why You Need a Screenplay Outline A screenplay outline can be challenging, but it's also extremely helpful. You might think you don't need an outline because your story seems clear. However, you might end up with scenes that don't work for the story's flow, or get confused in your subplots. Because there are so many moving parts, without an outline, it's hard to keep track of everything when writing a script. An outline doesn't have to be fancy; it just has to tell you what happens in each scene and how they...
Post a Comment
Read more