In the middle of making a mess, visualizing the final product can feel imaginative and unreachable. Yet, I don't like sitting in the mess of a construction project. In my last blog, I showed examples of my old bathroom. That was the original. This is the revised, final version. Yes, I could continue to add little touches and spruce it up even more--maybe even over do it--but I like the clean lines and cool colors.
Much like the construction process, writing is a process. Sometimes, writers struggle to visualize the final product, but quitting in the middle of a mess leaves the job site, well...messy. Revision means doing the finish work. If I left my bathroom without flooring, paint, cabinets, and fixtures--in other words, the finishes--no one would want to go in there. The same is true with my writing; if I don't put in the finishes, no one will want to read it.
Construction work can be done in small chunks. While waiting for one component of the work to come together, I can work on manageable parts. For instance, I attached the handles and hinges to the bathroom door as I was waiting for the glue to cure before laying the flooring. Similarly, doing finish work or revisions with my writing doesn't require that I focus on what my entire product will look like all of the time. I don't waste time watching glue dry; I work on the parts of my writing that I feel confident about.
Even as an experienced writer, I sometimes need to reach out for help with my writing. For example, I had to hire a contractor to do the work on the electrical, on heating ducts, and on the plumbing. These are parts of the project I am not skilled out, but calling in the experts helped me finish my project. Peer review and meetings with teachers or writing center coaches can also help students with parts of their writing that seem beyond their range of experience. Now, I'm not suggesting contracting out writing, but asking others can help writers acquire necessary writing skills--like conducting research, writing in different genres, or citing sources to support claims.
Whether writing is published or not, showcasing a finish work should include all of the bells and whistles--like my finished bathroom. A finished product applies all of the fine details that make writing look pretty. Like I applied finishing touches to make my bathroom comfortable and visually appealing, proofreading and editing offer the final touches that make a finished work appealing. In my writing, I take the necessary time to polish pieces for publication--even if they are as informal as my blog posts. My writing is a reflection of my style (like my bathroom) and professionalism. Although I can't "publish" my bathroom, I can post pictures here of the finished product.
I hope you enjoyed my bathroom metaphor! Happy writing!
Best,
Michelle