As writing is a creative process by definition, it cannot be automatic and needs a conscious approach for the best results. One of the major secrets of successful composing lies in constant improvisation, which proves to be substantially more effective in comparison to planning each sentence. Simply stated, good authors rely upon their thoughts as well as intuition in their activity, due to which, the text may change multiple times before they finish. Thus, Lamott states that “very few writers know what they are doing until they’ve done it” (93). Therefore, the appearance of several drafts in the process of writing is inevitable in case the author seeks to compose a high-quality text. Adding as well as removing certain ideas, a stylistic adaptation, and slight structural modifications – all these serve to make the final composition maximally correspondent to the author’s view. The latter is not necessarily static, which determines the requirement for revising. This is the closing stage of the writing process, but its importance is great since it reveals all types of limitations to readability. The consequent need to correct the composition is presumably the main reason why the majority of the population dislikes revisions (The Magic of Revision). However, this step is integral to conscious writing, as it is the only way to compose not purely a grammatically appropriate text, but a unique, hence artistically valuable, work. The fact that most people find revising horrible explains why not everyone can be a proper author without prerequisite training. High competency in writing involves creating rather than relying upon the ready-made clichés, due to which, drafting and, subsequently, correcting is mandatory.
Works Cited
Lamott, Anne. “Shitty First Drafts.” Language Awareness: Readings for College Writers, edited by Paul Eschholz, Alfred Rosa, and Virginia Clark, Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2005, pp. 93-96.
“The Magic of Revision.” YouTube, uploaded by TEDxIdahoFalls, 2016. Web.