Tinker, Tweak, Triumph: The Writing Life Is All About Strategy

by Larry J. Leech, II @LarryJLeechII

About five years ago, my son got me hooked on a game that pits two factions of ships against each other in a cosmic battle. I love games that involve strategy. This one features that, as well as quick thinking and more options than I can wrap my mind around. The complexity is exciting and, at times, overwhelming.

Much like writing.

I have tinkered, adjusted, and tweaked attack strategies, defense strategies, and flight patterns—hundreds of times. Each time I look for the best option or best result. 

Much like writing.

The excitement of pounding out a first draft often gives way to the grind of rewriting and rewriting some more. Sometimes to the point that a writer will either settle for something less than their best or, worse, give up. 

Fifteen years ago, I heard a best-selling novelist tell a critique group that he will often rewrite a scene 100 times. At the time, I balked at rewriting anything more than two or three times. That night changed my writing life. I thought, “If he is willing to do that, I shouldn’t complain about two or three rewrites.”

Since then, I have fussed numerous times over a single word or sentence for minutes, each time tweaking or changing something to make the point or the visual clearer. Finding the right word, the right phrase, the right sentence can feel like winning the lottery, or least what I think that may feel like. 

But ya gotta work at it. Try different words. Or change the order of words. Tinker with different ways you can show someone arching their brow, or walking across a room, or your protag running away from their antag. Like the game I now play, the possibilities are endless. Tinker. Tweak. Switch things around. Swap out words. Whatever it takes. Pluck away at the keyboard while you think. Or let your fingers fly across the keys while your brain comes up with different ideas.

A wise old man once said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

Pick “do.” Don’t be one of the ones who “do not.” 

I have found that posting a sticky note with a catch phrase or a few words of encouragement near my computer helps keep me focused or provides a reminder to keep at it and never give up. If you are inclined to do that as well, here are a few that might help you:

• “Keep swimming, swimming, swimming.”
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• “Think Different”
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• “Is it in you?”
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• “No pain, no gain”
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• And my favorite:
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• “Just Do It”

What word of encouragement can you share for other writers? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Tinker, Tweak, Triumph: The Writing Life Is All About Strategy from @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Usually with a hot beverage nearby, Larry J. Leech II spends his days working with words—as a writing coach of award-winning authors, as well as Acquisitions Editor and Master Book Coach for Illumify Media. More than forty years ago, Larry started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep sports, college sports, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry shifted to book publishing. Since that time, he has ghostwritten thirty books, edited more than 450 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For nearly two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. When he has a minute, Larry likes to hang out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find out more about him on his website: larryleech.com.