Freedom of Revision

Abstract

<p>While writing a first draft, authors often take the passenger seat in their own stories, requiring them to record every moment, detail and sensation that is discovered. Revision presents the opportunity for writers to drive. Through careful reading and crucial choices of characters, scenes and details, writers navigate their narratives, maintaining the elements that serve the stories while letting go of those that don't. With advice from Robert Boswell's HalfKnown World, this writer demonstrates how revision makes the words go the distance. Freedom of Revision is a presentation that chronicles the journey of a story from the first draft to the finished product. The discussion will include commentary on the process of revision through reading from the short story, "The Times When They Don't".</p><p>This presentation occurred at the Wright State University Campus-Wide Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities on April 8, 2011</p>