Sleep on it (Your editor will thank you)I write in multiple drafts. First, I barf words onto the page. I try to make it sound good, but that’s not really my first draft’s purpose. Instead, the purpose of Draft #1 falls under the “write write write” category. I can easily get into my own head and end up staring at a blank page for hours, so first, I have just write already. Pro Tip: If you get stuck on a word, but don’t want to interrupt your flow, write it in all caps, so you know to replace it on your next round. Once I wrap up my “ugly draft,” I leave it for the next day. After a sleep, I open it again and read it for flow, structural make-sense-ery, and add all the admin things like links and sources. Then, I sleep on it again. I’ve gone through seasons where I don’t do this. A few years ago, I tried ramping up my output and skipped that final sleep. Let’s just say…one of my editors noticed. She said (very gently), “I’ve noticed a change in your writing…what’s up?” So, I reinstated my “sleep on it” rule. After all, sleep deep-cleans your brain, so it only makes sense your snoozing can boost your craft. I’m always surprised at the things I find when I go through a piece that last time. I read it aloud, and often discover a clever tweak for clarity, or an even better metaphor. I catch mistakes and cut the fluff. TLDR: Give your drafts time to breathe while you catch some zzzs!
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