Whiskey (or whisky) improves with a bit of age. Be it bourbon, scotch, American, Irish, or Japanese whiskey, they all improve with some time. If you open a bottle of whiskey and pour a dram straight off, you may not like it. Cork the bottle and give it a week or so, the new air will let the lovely breathe. Then try again. You’ll be surprised when what you dismissed first off as shite is now mellow, smooth, heavenly sipping.
Air your first draft the same way. With fresh eyes, dig in and start editing. Relish how you make what was vapid and flat into fire-breathing awesomeness! Savor the new look at what you wrote. Realize what was there all along and how it tastes now that you’ve given it a second go.
Air your first draft before you give it another go.
Your fist draft follows this same, necessary maturation process. You’ve completed the story and the writing of it left a bad taste in your mouth. Close the file. Put a cork in it. Let it sit for a week or so. Start something else anew, put some time into your promotional efforts, or convince your graphic design wunderkind sister-in-law to create some new cover art for you. The fresh air will let that bitter first draft mellow in your mind. It also allows you to tackle it afresh when time comes to edit.
Likewise, take that bottle of Redwood Empire Lost Monarch you thought was destined for the mixed-drinks corner of the bar and pour another ounce. Give it a swirl. Give it a nose. Then give it a taste. Oh my! Lingering finish. Oaky sweetness that coats the palette. Some toffee notes, maybe a bit of cinnamon-esque sweet heat. Delicious.
Editing your first draft after giving it some air is just as rewarding. So don’t go back in right away. Give it some air.
