by Tim O'Connor

Created on: February 24, 2009

The essence of writing is rewriting. This is where you win or lose the game. Most writers don't say what they want to say the first time through, and good writers write, rewrite - and rewrite again - essentially editing as they create.

Rewriting is not necessarily crafting a second version - or a third. It's about reshaping, tightening, and refining what you have already said. Rewriting is about ensuring narrative flow.

If you lose your reader early, it's probably because you were not careful enough. Think thirty second attention span, and the need for sharp editing.

If your final product is the embodiment of shoddy construction, if your reader has to hack through relentless verbiage, or if your work is cluttered with switched tenses and illogical twists, your customer - the reader - will simply give up the ghost and move on before you can say, "the tyranny of completion."

While some writers are endowed with professional editors, many of us - particularly Web content writers - don't have the luxury of submitting work to be tweaked. We must submit clean, professional, final copy.

Here's how to be your own editor.

Once you've crafted your article and think you're done - think again. It's probably not nearly as perfect as you thought. Ideally, you've turned off your internal editor during the first draft. Naturally, you've let your creativity flow. And, presumably, you've gotten your most important thoughts committed to paper. That's important. Editing too closely during the early stages of the writing process slows you down and contributes to writer's cramp. At first, just get it written.

After that glorious first draft is done, take a break and then soon - maybe the next day, get back to the real work of writing - revision. Reread your piece with a critical eye. Rouse your internal editor and rework the article as if you are not its author. Read it as if you're reading it for the first time. Pay close attention and scrutinize the following:

Clutter, Focus, Organization, and Style

Start with the Delete key. If you look at every word you put on paper, you're likely to find a surprising number of annoying qualifiers that serve no purpose. Consider, "a personal friend." Is there any other kind? Or, how about, "I am currently busy."? Isn't "am" in the present tense? Try, "I'm busy."

Clutter - especially pompous clutter - contributes to boredom and confusion. Simplify. Write economically. Be thankful for every word you can throw away.

Concentrate on focus. Can you summarize

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