Likely you've heard the axiom "Writing is rewriting." What this means is that the rewriting and revision stage is where most of the real work gets done.

But sometimes that work can drag on . . . and on, and on, and on. A question we hear often at WBN is, "When should I stop rewriting and move on?"

WriteByNighter Tammy G. is up against this problem. She writes:

"My first draft is 66,376 words in need of serious editing for perspective, pace and show don't tell. I have rewritten chapter one four times. I believe I figured out how chapter one should look now, but I am procrastinating.

"The rewrite I have to do is like throwing the first three chapters in the air and watching the pages land everywhere. Undoing the work is scary even though I know it makes the story better. Is this normal?"

Read WriteByNight co-founder David Duhr's response here

Then in the comments, share your own tips for knowing how and when to move on from a piece of writing. Go on, help a writer out.

Justine Tal Goldberg
Owner, WriteByNight

P.S. While you're on the WBN blog, why not check out these recent goodies?:

• Do Your Characters Go Boneless?
• Annual Rereads featuring Johnny Tremain
• Writing Prompt: You Can't Please Everyone