Tireless Revision

With many forms of expression the artist is able to visualize the finished product and work towards it. Of course there are many adaptations along the way but in the mind of the creator there is some form of what it will end up looking like. The art of writing is very different. It is a creative process which requires enormous amounts of revision and changes in direction. The writer may begin with a goal in mind but can and in many cases will change completely. The finished product is often a distorted reflection of the initial idea.

I find this to be by far the most difficult thing when it comes to writing. You may have a great idea or form but it doesn’t always work out and you end up with something completely different. Which should not be viewed as a failure but it reflects the fact that the initial idea wasn’t nearly as brilliant as originally thought.

What is then the point of those brilliant epiphanies? Do they lead to something in and of themselves or will they only gain worth if greatly developed upon?

I am by no means opposed to hard work. It gives more value to the product and to those who create it. But with regards to writing it is a very different way of approaching an art form. Without knowing or having any idea of exactly how the finished product will turn out and without extensive experience with the writing process, writing is a daunting task.