Cut It Out, That Hurts

For every person who will tell you that he or she hates to write, there are at least 50 writers who will tell you that they hate to rewrite. Rewriting is perhaps that hardest part of a writer’s job. It is time-consuming, complex, and a little bit painful. Rewriting requires cutting, tightening, and deleting one’s beautifully woven prose. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most critical parts of a writer’s success.

That’s why professors like ASU’s Jay Boyer are so important to budding new writers. Writing can be a calling or a talent that comes to people naturally. But rewriting is a skill that generally must be acquired and honed.

“I’m not always sure that I can teach people to write,” Boyer says. “But I am pretty sure I know how to teach people to rewrite. I can help you cut down your story in ways that will help make it dazzle. I can show you how to move this around and turn this over. I can help you cut and shape and make it stronger.” —Jessica McCann