10 Days of Revision

On the TENTH day of Revision, a chorus of researchers said to me, "Revision is recursive." It never really ends (until you choose to stop or die--but even then someone could come along and revise your work years later--consider Pilgrim's Progress Revisited).

On the NINTH day of Revision, Experienced writers said to Nancy Sommers, "Get closer to the meaning by not limiting <yourself> too early to lexical concerns." (Edit for grammar and spelling last.)

On the EIGHTH day of Revision, Experienced writers said to Nancy Sommers, "Focus on your argument as you revise at the word and sentence level. "

On the SEVENTH day of Revision, Nancy Sommers said to me, "Remember the four ways you can revise (add, subtract, substitute, and re-order)."

On the SIXTH day of Revision, Lucy Calkins said to me, "Decide what you want others to help you with: content, design, process, or evaluation."

On the FIFTH day of Revision, Barry Lane said to me, "The moment I begin to write...I am beginning to revise." (5)

On the FOURTH day of Revision, Barry Lane said to me, "Good writing is good questions" (or get students and yourself to ask questions in the revision process). (11)

On the THIRD day of Revision, Nancy Sommers told me that experienced writers focus on the purpose of their writing when they revise. (My version seems a little long-winded here.)

On the SECOND day of Revision, Natalie Goldberg said, "Allow yourself to write junk," (because you will always revise it later).

On the FIRST day of Revision, Barry Lane said to me, "Writing is Revision!" (13)

Apologies to:
Lucy Calkins, author of The Art of Teaching Writing
Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing from the Bones
Barry Lane, author of After the End
Nancy Sommers, author of Revision Strategies of Student Writers and Experienced Adult Writers in   
            College Composition and Communication


Please excuse underlining in inaccurate locations; technology is not cooperating.