So, Is It Done? - Navigating the Revision Process

- What's New?

"This excellent instructional takes the writer from first draft through the stages of revision while stressing the need to establish a healthy distance form one's work and the essential and important role of "workshopping" one's writing to obtain feedback from multiple audiences. Recommended."

- Library Journal

"In the wake of her indispensable textbook, Janet Burroway now offers a splendid and concise guide to the thorny task of revision. Writers, young and old, will feel encouraged and enlightened by this excellent DVD which offers a wonderful range of specific advice and suggestive comments from a group of experienced and thoughtful writers."

- Margot Livesey
Author of Banishing Verona, and others. She is Writer-in-Residence at Emerson College.

"I think this DVD is a useful and necessary product, especially since so many undergraduate writers—and some graduate students—don't really understand or even see the need for revision."

- Alison Lurie
Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Foreign Affairs

"This DVD demystifies the writing process without denying the mystery involved. I learned a lot myself, and my students finally understand what I've been telling them all along."

- Paul Noble
Creative Writing Teacher, Oak Park River Forest H.S..

"This DVD is a convincing (and compelling) presentation of revision as a necessary step in all good writing. It is unique in that it shows professional writers in the usually private act of rethinking and remaking their work, and talking about rewriting as a natural and often enjoyable component of the creative labor. I plan to incorporate this invaluable program into all my creative writing courses' syllabi—it will save my students from (some of) my constant nagging about the need to revise their work."

- Judith Ortiz Cofer
Author of The Meaning of Consuelo, and others. She is the Franklin Professor of English and Creative Writing at The University of Georgia.

Navigating the Revision Process: Methods, Questions, Interviews, and Exercises to Guide Writers to Their Best Work

Hosted by acclaimed writer Janet Burroway, author of the renowned textbook Writing Fiction.

This unique DVD shows professional writers in the usually private act of rethinking and remaking their work. If you are doing any kind of writing, you will need to revise. Whether you are earning a degree, writing after the kids go to sleep, or fulfilling a retirement dream, chances are you’ll be unhappy with your first draft. Burroway presents five rounds of revision that any writer can try alone or with a group or class.

• Featuring Award-Winning Writers:

Rosellen Brown
Robert Olen Butler
Ron Carlson
Elizabeth Dewberry
Ken Foster
Patricia Foster
Michael Martone
John McNally
Elizabeth Stuckey-French
and editor Holly Carver

• Experience: Burroway and the featured writers impart years of lessons learned creating published works. They demystify the revision process without denying the mystery involved.

• Practical Advice: After viewing you’ll have concrete activities that you can use to revise your manuscripts.

• Featured Rounds of Revision:

Tinker, Tighten, Play, Chip Away
Take a Vacation (From the Work)
Long Shot, Middle Shot, Close-up
Out in the World (Going Public)
Polishing

Plus, the featured writers answer the question, "So, when is it done?"

• Book Anthology: DVD includes a 121-page digital book anthology of stories crafted by the featured writers. Read a story from Robert Olen Butler’s Pulitzer prize winning collection A Good Scent From A Strange Mountain. (This PDF file is readable on any computer with Acrobat Reader.)

• Exercises: DVD includes ten pages of exercises. An exercise for each round of revision.

• Navigation: Easy to read program menus and pop-up links allow you to watch the program in the order best suited to your revision needs. (You can easily return to your favorites.)

• Bonus Sections

Robert Olen Butler on Significant Detail: Butler emphasizes the importance of concrete significant detail. He discusses his story, “A Good Scene From A Strange Mountain.”
Discussion on the Writer’s Voice: The featured writers attempt to get to the bottom of this elusive term.
John McNally Revises John McNally: Watch how John’s story draft “The Backyard” was revised into a published story, “Smoke.” John reads from both drafts.
The Writing Workshop: Writer/Teacher Ken Foster discusses the strengths of the writing workshop. He details suggestions for instructors and students participating. Plus, find three pages of workshop suggestions.

So, Is It Done?
Navigating the Revision Process: Methods, Questions, Interviews, and Exercises to Guide Writers to Their Best Work

Format: DVD
Main Program: 67 minutes.
Bonus Footage: 53 minutes.
Digital Anthology: 121 pages.
Price: $29.95
(Add $6.00 shipping in USA; $10.00 for Canada and Mexico, $20.00 for shipping to other countries)

© 2005 Elephant Rock Productions, Inc.