Rewriting: Where the Real Work Comes In

Audio By Carbonatix

 I receive messages almost every day from people who dream of writing a novel. They start out with passion and excitement, but as they make progress, fear sneaks in. They see their rough drafts, full of ideas yet somehow not capturing the story as they’d imagined. It’s easy to feel discouraged when the words on the page don’t seem to match the vision in your heart.

Even now, with over 85 books under my belt, I sometimes look at my manuscripts and think, “Am I really going to be able to pull this off?” But through every draft and every edit, I’ve learned something beautiful: rewriting is the real work of writing, and it’s where the magic of transformation happens—not just for our stories, but for us as writers and people of faith.

Anne Lamott once said, “Just look at the one-inch picture frame and do the next thing.” This simple advice is one of my favorites. It reminds me to take things one step at a time, not just in my writing but in every part of life.

If you’ve started a story and feel overwhelmed by what’s next, remember, no one writes a perfect novel on the first try. Rewriting is where our stories come to life. And rewriting isn’t just about the craft; it’s about growing, learning, and transforming.

5 Ways Rewriting Our Stories Helps Rewrite Ourselves

Here are five ways the rewriting process transforms both our stories and our lives.

1. Rewriting Teaches Us Patience

Writing is a journey that requires time and dedication. God often works on us as He does in our stories, refining and molding us. Just as He is patient with us, we must be patient with the process. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” When we rewrite, we’re learning to trust God’s timing and His hand in our creative process.

2. Rewriting Helps Us See the Bigger Picture

When we go back and review our work, we gain perspective. It’s easy to get lost in the details, but rewriting allows us to see how each part connects to form the whole. This is true for our lives, too. Sometimes, we need to step back to understand the big picture. God’s vision for us is often much bigger than what we can see day-to-day. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

3. Rewriting Gives Us Courage to Start Over

It takes courage to go back and make changes, to cut out parts of our stories that no longer fit. It’s humbling, but it’s also freeing. In our lives, we may hold on to habits or mindsets that don’t serve us well. Rewriting teaches us to let go of what isn’t needed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” God gives us the strength to start fresh, both in our writing and in our lives.

4. Rewriting Brings Us Closer to Our True Voice

As we revise, we find our true voice—our unique style and the way we express our heart. This journey of discovery is essential, not only for writers but for each of us as children of God. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Through rewriting, we uncover the voice God gave us and learn to use it confidently.

5. Rewriting Teaches Us to Persevere

Rewriting isn’t easy. It takes grit to keep going, even when we don’t see immediate progress. But each time we push through, we grow stronger. James 1:4 encourages us, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Perseverance in rewriting builds resilience—not only as writers but as people who can face life’s challenges with courage and faith.

A Few Practical Tips

Rewriting may feel overwhelming, but remember that even the best-selling authors go through extensive revisions. Some of my writer friends who have been on the New York Times bestseller list have shared that they still face massive rewrites from time to time. They don’t resist the process—they roll up their sleeves and dive in!

If you’re looking for a supportive community, I highly recommend the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). It’s an incredible resource for workshops, feedback, and mentorship. We all need support, just like we need editors to help us refine our words. Writing, like faith, is a journey best taken in community.

Your Story Matters

If you feel called to write, don’t let fear or frustration hold you back. God has given you a unique story and voice, and He’s also given you the grace to rewrite, to refine, and to bring it to life. Writing is a journey that will stretch you, mold you, and grow you in ways you can’t imagine. Trust the process and keep moving forward, one page at a time.

Each time you rewrite, you’re not just revising words on a page—you’re discovering more of who you are in Christ. So keep the best words, cut out the ones that don’t fit, and let God use the rewriting process to help you become who He created you to be.

Remember, no one writes the perfect story the first time. But with each rewrite, you’re taking one step closer to sharing your story with the world. And who knows? Your words might be exactly what someone out there needs.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the creativity You’ve given me. Thank You for the process of rewriting, refining, and discovering who You’ve created me to be. Help me to see each step in my writing journey as a step closer to You, and give me the courage to persevere, even when it feels difficult. I trust that You are working through every word and every edit. Amen.

More Resources

– Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

– On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

– On Writing Well, The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser

– Writing Down the Bones, Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

– The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

Praying through the Bible in One Year

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible but found yourself giving up? Or even worse, you read the chapters and at the end question how they apply to your life. Tricia Goyer understands. For years she felt frustrated that she couldn’t stick to her commitment to read God’s Word all the way through. Things changed when she found a doable plan and wrote out a daily prayer. Tricia’s heart changed. Her life did, too.

God can bring real transformation into your heart and life when you daily commit to reading your Bible and praying through God’s Word. Praying through the Bible in One Year offers a guided reading plan and a daily prayer starter to help you make God’s Word applicable to your life. Discover the inspiration for real-life transformation.

Purchase a copy of Praying Through the Bible in One Year HERE.