There’s nothing quite like looking at a piece of writing or art from a few years ago. Back then, you were so proud of your work. Perhaps you spent many hours on it, or you let it flow out under a particularly powerful visit from the Muse. Either way, you look at it now and…egads! You were that bad? You’re embarrassed that this ever went out into the world. You hide under your metaphorical bed in shame.
It’s happened to all of us. As we continue to practice our craft, we inevitably get better. So, looking at our old work can be an unpleasant reminder of our nascent stage. But the truth is, our old work likely wasn’t as bad as we imagine. We tend to be our own worst critics. When we look at old work in the context of our new, higher standards for ourselves, our self-criticism is heightened.
Still, that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn from our old work. Often, the biggest problems are the flaws that we can easily see when we gain some perspective. The “beer goggles” you had on when you first created the work are long gone. A few years go by, and you can look back on your work with expert eyes. “I would never do that now,” you say.
The good news is that you can get the beer goggles off without having to wait a few years. By learning to revisit and revise as part of your creative process, you can feel more confident in your work — and avoid that feeling of embarrassment down the road. Here’s how:
Take some time away from the work.
Some of us produce our creations in “power sessions” where we work nonstop until it’s done. I once witnessed a “live artist” who did just that. She was known in our community for livestreaming her painting process. During these events, she’d create massive abstract artworks without leaving her studio. While her work was good, I couldn’t help but wonder how she felt about it afterwards. Might her work be better if she took time away from the canvas to reflect?
By the same token, I’ve heard many writers encourage others to write a first draft in one fell swoop. “Write drunk, edit sober,” one person advised. They didn’t mean that literally (or perhaps they did). They were talking about simply getting the ideas out, then editing your draft at a later time.
While that’s a good strategy for many people, it neglects a key part of the creative process: the space to think about what you’re creating. There’s a difference between editing a first draft and taking time to reflect on what you’re creating.
That’s why I find it helpful to take breaks from the work. Rather than working nonstop for hours, try working in 30- to 60-minute bursts, then taking a walk for 10–15 minutes. You might just have some new ideas shake loose or get “unstuck” on something you were struggling with. Whenever I have put this approach into action, I’ve been more pleased with the final product than if I simply churned something out and gave it a quick edit.
Implement a revision process.
While taking time to reflect is important — and you should always edit your work before putting it out there — there’s something else you should incorporate into your creative process: Revisions.
Revisions differ from edits. They start with an overall audit of what the work entails versus what you’re trying to achieve with it. It’s important to be honest with yourself here. Are you saying what you want to say? If not, it’s time to take a step back. You might need to rework entire sections of your piece.
Few things are as maddening as having an editor, curator, or other reviewer tell you that something “misses the mark.” Sometimes, this means that your piece simply wasn’t right for their publication or gallery. But often, it’s a sign that revisions might have helped your work be stronger. And isn’t that what you want?
While some people have to produce work with a quick turnaround, those who don’t should definitely take advantage of a little ol’ thing called time. Try creating a revisions schedule for your work. For example, you might wait 24 hours after your first draft to make edits, then let it marinate for another 24 hours before you start your revision process. Give yourself ample time to make those revisions.
Don’t be afraid to tear it up and start over.
I can’t tell you how many drafts I have spent hours on, only to let gather dust on my hard drive. It wasn’t that I couldn’t complete them. Rather, I chose not to. I took those ideas and some of the words, then re-worked them into something new.
There is never any shame in abandoning a piece. Some people, operating under the advice that “winners never quit,” will torture themselves with projects that aren’t going well. Then, they end up putting out work they’re unhappy with. Here’s the thing: Your work is an extension of your artistic self. None of that disappears just because one of your pieces goes nowhere. The best writers and artists have multiple dusty drafts for every masterpiece they complete. Never feel obligated to finish a work.
Rather, let those trouble pieces provide you with the ingredients for a new creation. What ideas can you carry over from them? What lessons can you learn from them?
Revising your work is an important part of the creative process. Whenever possible, make it part of your process. Don’t be afraid to take breaks. Many people worry about “getting back into the flow,” but the truth is, once you start creating again, that happens naturally. Take the pressure off yourself to produce perfect works in little time. You’ll likely feel more empowered to create new, amazing pieces that you can be proud of — even a few years from now.
WRITTEN BY
Rachel Wayne
Writer by day, circus artist by night. I write about art, media, culture, health, science, and where they all meet.
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