Presentation Skills That Will Take You to the Top (Collection), 2/e

18. Presentation Advice from Novelists I: Begin with the End in Mind, Then Write, Rewrite, and Rewrite

An article in the Wall Street Journal described the creative processes used by several different novelists. As you might expect, their methods were as varied as their literary styles, ranging from preferred writing materials to favorite venues, and even to the most productive times of day. But all the writers shared one common technique: They compose many drafts of their work.^F18.1

One of the foremost proponents of rewriting is John Irving, the author of the bestselling novel The World According to Garp and 14 other novels. Mr. Irving states his method for all the world to see on his web site: “Rewriting is what I do best as a writer. I spend ...