The Hidden Industry of Drafting and Redrafting: Unlocking the Secret to Successful Writing.

#academicwriting

In a world where nearly everyone engages in writing, from casual text messages to formal work documents, the realm of professional writers remains a mystery. Writing for publication, whether it's a blog post or a book, introduces a different set of fears and challenges, akin to singing on a stage in front of a discerning audience rather than belting out tunes in the privacy of a shower in your bathroom.

While some may believe that accomplished writers are naturally gifted, the truth is that most have learned the craft through perseverance, facing rejection, and overcoming self-doubt. Many writers are their harshest critics, grappling with the fear that their work is inadequate and will be rejected by others, leading to the mythical writer's block.

The reality is that producing quality writing rarely happens in the initial attempt. This is where the importance of drafting and redrafting comes into play. It is a meticulous process like a carpenter, sanding, and re-sanding until achieving a certain standard in their craftsmanship. As the author of children's literature and short stories who has sold more than 300 million books, Roald Dahl recounts, “By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.”

Whether one is writing popular fiction or an academic paper, though hidden from the view of readers, like the image of the proverbial duck who appears to floating at speed with consummate ease, is desperately paddling the water under the surface. Indeed, a closer examination of the world of academic publishing behind the scenes, one sees a whole industry of redrafting. Academic papers, the cornerstone of scholarly communication, typically undergo multiple revisions before seeing the light of publication. And, often this process, especially in peer review academic papers, isn't solitary; it involves collaboration among small army contributors.

What the average reader does not know, once an author has produced a final draft, then publishers enlist the expertise of peer reviewers, editors and finally copy editors. These anonymous individuals are unsung heroes of the publishing industry. They are a bit like the Sherpas of Nepal who lift equipment for wealthy adventure-seeking westerners to climb mountains in the Himalayas. Similarly, copy editors devote considerable time and effort to tidying up and polishing a piece of writing that makes it presentable. Their keen eye for detail can refine prose, ensuring that the final product is free from errors.

I once questioned a well-published colleague about the essence of a good writer. His response was enlightening – he compared a writer to a walker, emphasising that a writer is someone who writes. Like taking one step after another, the foundation of any written work lies in putting one word after another, forming sentences, and constructing paragraphs.

The challenge arises in transforming what may initially seem like subpar content in the first draft into something worth sharing. Ernest Hemingway succinctly captured this struggle with his assertion that "the first draft of anything is shit." Having once doubted my capability to write anything until the age of 18, I can wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments. Drafting and redrafting is the cornerstone of strong writing. Few, if any, published works emerge fully formed from a single burst of inspiration. Just as a performer hones their craft through countless rehearsals and adjustments, writers need to sculpt their words, refining and polishing them until they feel ready to be shared with the world.

Learning to write for publication resembles embarking on a challenging yet rewarding cycling journey. The initial hurdle, learning to ride a bike, can feel insurmountable. However, once you find your balance, similar to any seemingly arduous endeavour, the process unfolds with each pedal stroke. What once seemed impossible becomes gradually attainable as you shift through the gears, gaining momentum and confidence along the way. And before you know it, often without even realising it, you are well on your way to producing something that you feel confident to share with the world.