Thoughts on Rewriting

“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.”

Thomas Jefferson

Rewriting is the process of finding the right word to replace two words. All ways right more the necessary on the first draft. Write down everything you can think of about the character. Write down everything about the setting. Description to minutest detail, because when you begin rewriting you will cut words and replace two words with one word.

It is difficult to find the right word to describe a sunset that burns like a barbecue briquette. What is the precise color of red? What is the exact tone of gray ash in the burning briquette? Rewriting, cutting and replacing is difficult, but it is necessary to make a novel or short story readable.

Rewriting is a process of sculpting. When a sculpture carves a stone or piece of wood, he or she removes everything that does not resemble the vision of what the finished piece looks like. When a writer rewrites he or she removes all the unnecessary words, those words that do not add to the plot or the climax of the novel or story.