The Psychology of Rewriting: Understanding the Challenges

How to Approach Rewriting Without Losing Steam

Rewriting is often described as the heart of writing—where the real magic happens—yet it’s also one of the most daunting phases of the creative process. Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern not just in my own rewriting journey but in the struggles other writers share: rewriting feels impossibly hard. But why? Let’s dive into the psychology of rewriting and explore strategies to approach it without losing momentum.

Why Rewriting Feels So Hard

At its core, rewriting taps into vulnerabilities and cognitive processes that don’t always align with our creative instincts. Behind the psychology of rewriting are a few reasons this stage can feel uniquely challenging:

Emotional Investment

When you spend hours, days, or even years crafting a manuscript, you naturally grow attached to it. Rewriting, however, often demands ruthless cuts, structural overhauls, or reimagining entire sections. This can feel like erasing a part of yourself.

Psychologists call this the “sunk cost fallacy”—our tendency to cling to things we’ve already invested in, even if it’s no longer serving us.

Perfectionism Paralysis

Rewriting amplifies the desire for perfection. Every sentence feels like it must shine. While striving for excellence is admirable, perfectionism can turn into a paralyzing force, making it difficult to progress!

Cognitive Overload

Rewriting is a high-level mental task. It requires evaluating the big picture (plot, character arcs, themes) while focusing on minute details (sentence flow, word choice, punctuation). This simultaneous juggling can overwhelm our brains, leading to decision fatigue.

Fear of Failure

The pressure to improve the draft can stir up insecurities. What if the rewrite isn’t better? What if I ruin what’s already good? This fear can cause hesitation or avoidance altogether.

How to Approach Rewriting Without Losing Steam

Rewriting doesn’t have to be an uphill battle! By understanding your mindset and the psychology of rewriting and adopting practical strategies, you can make the process less intimidating and even enjoyable.

How Do You Emotionally Detach from Your Draft?

To rewrite effectively, you need to look at your work objectively. Here are some methods to help you detach emotionally:

Take a Break: Put your manuscript aside for a few weeks or even months. Distance allows you to return with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective.

Adopt a Reader’s Mindset: Imagine you’re reading someone else’s draft. Would you skip a chapter? Highlight a plot hole? This shift helps you evaluate your work critically rather than emotionally.

Remind Yourself of the Goal: Remember, rewriting isn’t about erasing your creativity; it’s about polishing your ideas until they resonate more powerfully.

Staying Motivated During Rewrites

Sustaining energy through rewrites requires balancing ambition with achievable steps.

Set Specific Goals: Break your rewrite into manageable tasks. For example, dedicate one week to refining character arcs or rewriting a particular chapter. This prevents the overwhelm of tackling everything at once.

Celebrate Small Wins: Each completed task is progress! Celebrate milestones like finishing a chapter or tightening a tricky scene. Acknowledging achievements fuels motivation.

Embrace the Messy Middle: Accept that the rewriting process will feel chaotic at times. Progress is rarely linear, but persistence pays off.

Taming Perfectionism

Perfectionism may be the enemy of progress, but it can be tamed.

Adopt the “Good Enough” Rule: Focus on improving your draft rather than making it flawless. You’ll have future opportunities for refinement.

Set a Time Limit: Give yourself a deadline for each section. This prevents endless tweaking and forces decision-making.

Remember Your Reader: Instead of aiming for perfection, ask, “Will this resonate with my audience?” Keeping readers in mind shifts your focus from self-criticism to communication.

Prioritizing Changes in a Rewrite

Rewriting can feel overwhelming because everything seems to need fixing. Here’s how to prioritize:

Start Big, Then Go Small: Focus on structural issues first—plot holes, pacing, or character inconsistencies. Once the foundation is solid, work on sentence-level edits.

Use Feedback: If you’ve received notes from beta readers or editors, use them as a roadmap. Outside perspectives can help pinpoint areas that need the most attention.

Rank Problems by Impact: Not all issues carry equal weight. Address the ones that significantly affect the story’s flow or impact first.

Building a Rewriting Routine

Consistency is key to making progress!

Create a Schedule: Designate specific times for rewriting. Even thirty focused minutes a day can add up.

Set the Mood: Find a workspace and routine that energizes you, whether it’s a quiet room, a favorite playlist, or a steaming cup of coffee.

Track Your Progress: Keep a log of completed sections or chapters. Seeing tangible results reinforces the sense of accomplishment.

Tools and Resources for Rewriting

The right tools can streamline the process:

Editing Software

Programs like ProWritingAid or Scrivener offer features tailored for rewrites, such as manuscript organization and detailed grammar checks.

Books on Craft

Titles like On Writing by Stephen King or The Artful Edit by Susan Bell provide invaluable insights into revising and editing.

Workshops or Courses

Online platforms like MasterClass or Coursera offer courses on the art of rewriting, taught by bestselling authors.

Rewriting as a Creative Journey

Rewriting may feel like an uphill battle, but it’s also a journey of discovery. It’s where your story transforms into its truest form. By understanding the psychology of rewriting and all its hurdles and equipping yourself with effective strategies, you can embrace the process with confidence and creativity.

Remember, every great book is a result of rewriting (and rewriting and rewriting and rewriting…). So take a deep breath, dive in, and trust the process—you’ve got this!

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.