Revising without Purpose is Pointless
Lesson #40
Welcome to The Teachers’ Lounge: a collaborative, creative space for educators who write. The doors are always open to anyone who loves language and learning! Grab a coffee, take a seat, and join us as we discuss the importance of defining your writing project’s purpose when revising.
Word of the Month
POINT
noun
the sharp end of a tool, weapon, or other object, such as a pencil
the purpose, or meaning, behind your piece of writing
What is the point of the writing project you’re working on?
This past week, I taught a class for teenagers about how to write 50-word stories. It was a lot of fun. In addition to learning how to write microfiction, students also learned how to revise microfiction. The revision techniques I taught apply, not only to microfiction but to all forms of writing, be it short story, poetry, or scenes in a novel.
One of the most exciting aspects of teaching is discovering something new while teaching. This class was no exception. While teaching students about the importance of word choice, I asked students to remove “unnecessary” details, including adjectives and adverbs. However, determining what details were “unnecessary” proved tricky when the student didn’t know what the point, or purpose, of their story was. How can we know if the adjective “dented” needs to be removed from “dented car” if we don’t know the story’s purpose? Maybe this adjective is necessary if we want to get the point across that this has been a horrible road trip, and the rented car being “dented” is the icing on the cake? If the car being dented is inconsequential to the characters, then it can be removed.
When revising, it all comes back to these two questions:
What is the point of my story?
Will this detail help accentuate the point of my story, or will it detract from it?
Keep in mind that readers can only hold so much detail at once, so it’s important we only give them the details they actually need, the details that help propel the point of the story forward. This includes descriptions of character and setting. The point of a story is always tethered to the protagonist’s emotional arc. To help readers feel an emotional connection to the protagonist, we need some details to tether the characters and their world to our minds.
How much detail one chooses to include is entirely subjective and up to the writer. Just make sure that the details you do choose to include are earning their place by adding to your story’s point.
In case you missed it…
In the throes of revising? Trying to get unstuck or restarted? Here’s another writing insight to consider: Do You Hear or See Your Story? A Drafting Insight for Novelists.
Writing Activity
Take out a writing project you’re actively working on and answer this question: What is the point? You can think of the point as the purpose or theme. Write your response. You might be surprised that you draw a blank at first! We get so caught up in the plot that we sometimes forget what the point of the story even is.
Once you’ve captured the point of your story in writing, keep it somewhere where you can reference (and refine) it often. It can be a helpful anchor when you’re drafting and revising. If a scene doesn’t serve the point of the story, it’s gotta go!
Recent Publication
My article, “The Health Benefits of Writing Fiction,” was published in March in the Michigan Bar Journal’s Practicing Wellness Column. I encourage you to give it a read!
College Essay Coaching
Did you know, in addition to fiction book coaching, I’m also a college essay coach? I’ve worked with high school students for over twenty years, with seven years devoted specifically to college essay coaching.
Have a rising senior who would thrive with some 1-1 guidance while navigating the college application process? Check out my coaching services here. My first cohort starts in May!
Love this Line
“Inside each of us is a natural-born storyteller, waiting to be released.”
~ Robin Moore, author
Literary Trivia
Did you know…
“Stories can change our brain chemistry, releasing neurochemicals such as oxytocin, which enhances our sense of empathy for others.”
From the article, “The Brain Science of Storytelling: Finding the Connection Between Storytelling and Academics” by Ava Hawkins.
Exit Ticket
Don’t forget to fill out your Exit Ticket before you leave the lounge. Thanks, friends!
Looking for more writing camaraderie and accountability?
I host weekly co-writing sessions on Mondays and Fridays, and I’d love for you to join us! Whether you’re writing prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction, all writers are welcome! Stay the entire time, or even fifteen minutes: any time spent writing is forward momentum.
Mondays, from 8-9:30 am EST: Register here.
Fridays, from 10-11:30 am EST: Register here.
Wanna join, but need a night or weekend? Email with some ideal days and times. If there’s enough interest, I’ll start a third session!
Want help with your writing?
Happy to help! I’m a certified Author Accelerator fiction book coach. My book coaching services include:
One-session book coaching
Monthly book coaching
Manuscript evaluations
Pitch packages
Group coaching
You can learn all about my book coaching services at keskesink.com.
