Writers, Take Time To Write Your Best

Remember school days when you waited til the last minute to get an assignment done. Not everyone did that, but a good number did. If you were one of those who waited to almost the final day to start, you know you probably didn't do your best work. I'm guessing your paper didn't have an A written on the top when the teacher handed it back to you. Some students didn't care while others knew that spending time and effort was worthwhile. 

It's true that those last-minute efforts push you into productivity. You might get it done, but will it be your best work? As writers, we know deep down that when we put time and effort into a story, or whatever you're writing, it is going to turn out much better.

Some writers work strictly on assignment. Wait until the last minute to start the job, and your editor may have some harsh words for you. Some writers want to do a hurry-up job and submit their work to an editor long before they should. Eager Beavers!

Many times, I have written here about writing a first draft, then let it sit for a few days, even longer, before you edit and revise. You'll see many more things that need attention if you do so. Start editing right after writing your first draft, and you're bound to miss a good many problems in what you have written. 

Even after you have done a first edit, you will benefit if you let the piece simmer another couple of days. Go back then and see if you're happy with what you changed, or if you find more places that need your attention. 

The key to writing a good story, essay or poem is to give yourself an ample amount of time. One of the problems with new writers is that they are excited about finishing a piece and want to submit it right away. It's not that it is an assignment, and they started too late. It's the fact that they are eager to have a finished piece, anxious to submit and can't wait to hear from an editor. With time and experience, we learn to slow down, to take the time to make whatever we've written the best it can be. 

Yes, waiting til the last minute pushes you to write, but will it be your best writing?