1. Disrupts Flow and Momentum:
* Breaks Concentration: Constantly stopping to revise can break your flow and make it harder to get into a "writing groove."
* Slows Progress: Excessive editing during drafting can slow you down and make the writing process feel tedious and discouraging.
2. Leads to Analysis Paralysis:
* Overthinking: Re-evaluating every sentence as you write can lead to overthinking and second-guessing, preventing you from moving forward.
* Perfectionism Trap: You might get caught up in trying to make every sentence perfect before moving on, leading to writer's block.
3. Stifles Creativity:
* Restricting Ideas: Constantly revising can limit your creativity as you focus on polishing rather than exploring new ideas and directions.
* Losing the Spark: Focusing on revision too early can make your writing feel forced and uninspired, as you lose the initial spark of the draft.
4. Creates Unnecessary Work:
* Duplication of Effort: You might end up rewriting the same section multiple times, wasting valuable time and energy.
* Less Efficient: Editing during drafting can lead to a fragmented and less cohesive final product.
Instead of Constant Revision, Try These:
* Focus on Getting Ideas Down: Prioritize getting your thoughts and ideas down on paper, even if they're rough.
* Use Placeholders: If you get stuck on a particular detail, use a placeholder like "[Insert description here]" and move on.
* Keep a Separate Revision List: Note any issues or changes you want to make later, but focus on completing the draft first.
Remember: The drafting stage is for exploration and generating content. Save the polishing and refining for the revision stage when you have a complete draft to work with.