Rewriting, using comic book techniques, and other energy-boosters….

Tips and resources to get your rewriting energy up.

I wrote this a decade ago (Jan ’16) but it’s getting fresh air and some extra useful words, as I plough through some rewrites this weekend.

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Rewriting….

(Jan 2016 with April ’26 extras)

One draft does not a writer make. One draft is what John Buchan called the block of stone, from which you can start to create a sculpture.

Redrafting can be very hard. The stone analogy is a good one.

Help is often wonderful, but it doesn’t have to be from another human being. It’s energy that does the trick, helping you switch off the brains predicting machinery, so you can enjoy this fresh creative process.

I always have help on my scripts, from directors, actors, my agent and – on the last two big projects [in 2016] – a dramaturg. Think of them as akin to a novelist’s editor. A screenwriter’s script editor. But for the stage.

And where I started working alongside screenwriters and novelists, I was powerfully struck by how lucky I’ve been to be a playwright.

I’m 100% used to getting my words into mouths, and expert mouths giving me feedback. It’s an essential part of how I work. There are actors and interested friends across Bath and Bristol who’ve generously pulled and kicked my drafts. (Wine and money matter here. Pay the professionals!).

Learning how to hear, consider and use feedback makes us much better writers and hugely improves the work when we get this right

Redrafting alone is tough, however. So here are some hacks to help:

– Stand up and walk it out, like on a stage. See the action. What’s clunking? What’s not clear?

– Get your computer to read the screen. Change the voice regularly. Notice where you’re switching off. This one’s great for hearing your language use.

– Create a draft graphic novel. If a panel (box) can’t be drawn well, what’s wrong with the source text? I love this one, personally. It really makes you sit with what you’ve written and it’s very exposing. This is especially great for understanding pace, perspective, variety. If a comic book version doesn’t work, I think you have a problem. All creds to those writers and artists.

– Pay a professional.

Here’s an unpaid ad for the guy I’ve used more than anyone else: David Lane. He also produces a paid-for sub newsletter – and you can read all about that on his site, here.

For prose, I’ve found and use a publishing editor. For screen, ditto. I’ve not sought their permission to name them, so get in touch for details.

Find joy in those rewrites. They’re frustrating but you are mining gold. If you keep at it, I will too!