Revise, Revise, Revise, Repeat

I hate working out. I don't like exercise. I enjoy a long walk, even in the snow or uphill, but I despise the repetition of formal exercise. For some, a rigorous workout drives them, motivates them, makes them feel great. I admire, but don't understand these types of people. But I get the idea. If you want to see results, you've got to put in the sweat.

I feel this way about writing. Anyone can write a story. Many people can write a great story, but for something to be worthy of another's time, it's got to be polished. In writing, that means revision. Editing for grammar and spelling is easy enough, but revising a story means breaking it apart and rebuilding, numerous times. It's got to hold someone's interest past the first line. It's not so different from a work-out. You've got to do it over and over and over again in order to see any results.

What I'm learning is that if you revise your piece, and read it over, sometimes hundreds of times, and you're not sick of it, there is a slight chance you've got something great.

As an aspiring writer, what I am learning is this:

1. I love writing. I don't care how many or how few people are reading, I love it.

2. Like anything else, practice makes...I don't want to say perfect. Practice makes exceptional? I'll go with that.

3. No pain, no gain.

I like sitting at my computer and mulling over the right words. Most of the time, it's a frustrating process, but I like it anyway. I don't know where any of my writing will take me, and although I am always hopeful someone else will appreciate, it and want to publish it, I am definitely okay with rejection (in fact, I think I'm quite skilled in this aspect of writing.) Rejection means try harder, revise it again, write more. Although some might want to throw in the towel after a number of rejections, I'm way too stubborn to let that stop me!