Prewriting is the step where all of the writing preparation is done. This step is sometimes divided into smaller components like brainstorming, researching, and/or outlining. Even for writers who consider themselves "pantsers" (those who write without formally outlining first), a significant amount of work goes into the prewriting step, because it's where writers come up with their ideas and organize their thoughts.

Drafting is the step where the actual words go on the page, where all the ideas and research and planning come together into an initial execution.

Revising is the step where the originally drafted execution is refined. Depending on the state of the original material, revisions could be anything from a complete "page one rewrite" (basically starting over because the original didn't work at all) to more minor revisions like updates to specific scenes, or bits of dialogue, further developing character, or improving specific genre elements.

Editing is the step where the narrative and characters have been figured out, and it's time to fine-tune the specifics of the writing itself by looking at grammar, spelling, diction, syntax, etc. Depending on the state of the manuscript up to this point, it could be as simple as a quick proofread or a more detailed overhaul of the mechanics of the piece.

EXCERPT: Nobody is going to be surprised to learn that a woman invented the first disposable diaper and the dishwasher. Who but a woman would notice these were needs that should be met in a more efficient manner? But did you know it was a woman who invented the bullet-stopping fabric, Kevlar? A woman invented the first commercial computer language, and another invented the windshield wiper.

EXCERPT: My fascination with the slithery kind has been a constant in my life, since my earliest memories. If it slithered, crawled, secreted slime or other noxious fluids, had suitably disgusting table/terrarium manners, I wanted to waylay it and bring it home. From my first checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus), captured by myself at age five and resulting in my very first snake bite experience, to the black-tailed rattlesnakes (Crotalus molossus) in the dresser drawer and Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) in the bathtub, I loved them one and all.

EXCERPT: I’m the groundhog of the moment. The humans, partially concealed by the bushes, are looking in my direction. One of them sets up a tripod with a big mechanical eye, pointing it at me. Can’t they leave me alone? All I want is to kick back in my hole for a little February R and R.

EXCERPT: An old neighbour came visiting to see my mom. In his words; Each time I pull off my jersey in the field and see the scar on my belly, I always remember the woman that saved my life.

I've never actually aimed at more than one contest while writing a piece. Quite often contests allow older pieces to be entered and, in that case, I have a look though what I've done to see if there's anything that would fit the requirements of the later contest. Although there was one prompt in which Lilli asked paticipants of her Promptly Poetry Challenge to write something for Solace's Express It In Eight activity. So that was an instance where Lilli did the aiming for me!



How often to you write material here on WdC with the intention of entering multiple activities?

Every minute of every day! That's the most challenging and fun filled way I know how to maximize my time here. If I could live here, then I would. Since that is not possible, by entering multiple activities at the same time feels like living several lifetimes in a single moment. The trick is to find activities you love, and get creative with the solutions. Then try to make them all fit. The keyword is TRY because FAILURE is unavoidable.

When we participate in activities that we love, the effort won't feel like work. Also, the synergy that comes from the effort is unrivaled. For each activity that's added to the mix, it will inspire and generate creativity for the other activities. Another way to look at the energy resulting from smashing these atoms together is to view each activity as a writing prompt for another activity loosely connected by association. By meeting all of these back of the mind prompts, the resulting creation will be richer and deeper than what could be dreamed up with a single prompt.