Trying Something new

I was researching writing skills and techniques and came across a new one I’m going to try.  They recommended that after the initial draft, instead of editing within the document itself, go split screen and open a brand new document.  Rewrite your story, using the language you want, and get it out fresh.

I began editing this story yesterday and worked on it a little today, but I decided to try this technique.  I can see how completely rewording paragraphs can actually be of benefit, as I’m not tempted to leave sentences that I’m feeling iffy about.  I can get the ideas out in new words and really focus on the language and feelings I want to convey.  

In the first/second drafts I was just getting the story out.  Those two drafts blended together for me.  Now that I’m doing the third draft, I want to add in the sensual elements, so the reader feels like they’re sitting around the campfire with the characters, smelling the food cooking and feeling the warmth of the fire.  

To get that kind of freshness in the writing, I can see how completely rewriting the story will be beneficial.  I write at a high rate of speed, even going back as I correct spelling and grammar mistakes, so I feel this will be time well spent.

It will also be easier if I use two monitors.  I’m used to working that way from my practice learning programming, so I can quickly and easily change my attention between the documents, having both visible to me at once in a large enough size to read with one on each screen.  He’s getting me a second monitor today, as the others are already in use, so I can begin tomorrow!

Don’t be afraid to learn and try things.  You never know what might be a hit for you.  I’ve learned so many useful tips already, and each one adds to my writing and my abilities.