The Insecure Writer’s Support Group:
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Check it out here: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
June 2 question – For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?
I don’t think I’ve made conscious, consistent choices with this. Usually by the time something is “finished” (I am using that term loosely) I’m so over it that I don’t bother going back to it for months, if ever. That is probably because I rarely have a strict timeline in mind. Mainly I just want to get what is in my head on paper (Ok, screen, but I still think of writing as “getting it on paper”. Who doesn’t love paper?) and then get on with the next thing. Or just go back to slacking. Whichever.
This downtime will be something to keep in mind now that I’m trying to write with more specific goals. I’ll have to build some “lock it in the cabinet and don’t look at it” time into my writing schedule. I guess the length of the piece is probably a factor? Also how long I’ve been working on it? Seems like a day or two break wouldn’t be long enough for a novel, but it would probably be sufficient for a blog post.
I look forward to reading how other people plan this.
PS- I can’t help picturing going back for the rewrite and having to explain to the work in progress, “WE WERE ON A BREAK!”
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Word Philosopher 
I agree that its important to get the first draft out fast, before the inner editor gets a chance to butt it.
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
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My timelines vary, depending upon the project. One of the issues I’ve had after a break with fiction is the characters are like, “yeah, while you were gone, we decided to make some major changes. Suzi’s not into Bob, she’s gay. And the real killer was one of the bookstore twins.” WTFE.
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And you can never convince them to go back to the way they were. Super aggravating
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A lot of writers say wait one month, but that always depends.
Welcome to the IWSG!
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Like you, I’ve enjoyed reading how authors deal with the re-write stage of writing. Now, I’m curious how folks deal with burn out or avoid it. Welcome to IWSG.
Lynn La Vita @ http://la-vita.us/write/
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It’s interesting how writers are all different and need varying times to take that second look at their work.
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I polish my drafts into extinction just about. But I’m finally getting them out there.
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