The Inevitable Rewrite by Joanna Eccles

The Inevitable Rewrite

by Joanna Eccles

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke’ ”

(Exodus 34:1 NKJV).

When I started writing, I expected to sit at my desk and the right words would flow from my fingertips every time. I discovered that was not the case. Most of my manuscripts go through several layers of review to get to a final product. Even God, who wrote the Ten Commandments perfectly the first time, had to rewrite them because Moses broke the original tablets

We should not get discouraged if our initial drafts are less than stellar. We aren’t God. Rewriting is inevitable, so let’s enjoy the process. The less pressure I put on myself, the better I do.

I concentrate on getting words on the paper during the first draft. I can’t edit if nothing is there. I don’t worry about whether it makes sense. I aim for letters to form words across the screen. Once I get enough words out, then I keep or cut them.

It sounds simple, but the rewriting process can be painful, especially when my favorite lines no longer fit the piece’s theme.

I created a file called “Bits and Pieces,” where I store sections of articles that I think will work elsewhere. That way, I don’t lose important ideas but store them until I find the perfect place. I visit my “Bits and Pieces” document when I’m stuck and need a new topic. Often, those lines trigger another idea for me to expand on.

As you continue your journey, I pray the words flow freely to form products that glorify God. If you hit writer’s block, pray and keep typing. Prayer loosens the words as God guides us.

God doesn’t expect us to be flawless writers. Seek Him first, and the words will follow. As we polish our pieces, we will see the joy of the Lord reflected in our work.

Dear God, thank you for being with us during the writing process and giving us words to glorify you. Even when we must rewrite a story, you stay by our side. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Joanna Eccles founded Words from the Honeycomb to share sweet words to encourage people in Christ. She has led Bible studies for over a decade and desires to shape culture through her writing by addressing truths in relatable ways. Joanna can’t wake up without a cup of coffee, loves reading, and lives in Florida. Connect with Joanna on Facebook.