Revision Process

[Todd]

Hi all! I've noticed that some people seem to focus on one piece fairly intensively and post revisions quickly (even extensive ones) and others take a while to post revisions or work on a few at a time. I usually have a few in the works at any given time and I try to leave at least a week in between significant revisions so that I can let thoughts gel and come back with fresh eyes.

But, I was wondering if waiting to make revisions discourages people from commenting if they think that you're ignoring their opinions or that perhaps you're not really serious about changing your work. Thoughts on a good revision timeline that works with the trends of the group? Are there any expectations about revising within a certain period of time?

There are only a few expectations at all regarding revisions-we expect people to acknowledge when a critique has been given (which is only polite), and there is the assumption that you at least are considering revising the work if it is in one of the critique forums.

Outside of that, you are free to sit on the critiques and revise much later or quickly if you see something you'd like to change. There is a danger in quick revisions in that you can move too quickly, not trust your original idea, and lose the spark of the piece. That's more of confidence and experience writing sort of thing.

When revision occurs doesn't affect my desire to comment. I do personally like seeing the progression of some poems and enjoy watching them develop. The writer though is in control of the pace of these things.