Phases of revision

Hi mate.
I'm mainly talking in the context of fantasy novels, given the context (i.e. the purpose of this platform), and encouraging someone who is criticising themselves for what-they-think-is excessive drafts.
Yes, different markets within the fantasy genre have different expectations, and therefore the definition of 'quality' differs, as it does across readers and writers. (Remember: each writer's style is different, and that in itself sets a different standard for what is optimal for that style).

 

Actually he didn't keep count that well. At the time he said he'd re-written it 39 times 'to get the words right'

However, 47 different drafts were later found to have survived. Perhaps there were actually more than 47 & the others ended up in the bin.

 

Yes, as writers we all have different styles. And for me, that all too often gets forgotten. When I started writing short stories it took me a while to find my voice, by which I mean the way (style, structure, language etc) in which I express things in the story.

I think a lot of new writers produce a large number of drafts simply because they don't feel their voice is right for them. It takes them time to find their voice. I found that as I got going the time it stook to get the next story formed in my mind lessened as I found my voice, and I suspect that many experienced writers have found that the number of drafts they produce reduces with the number of books they've written. In that sense I thiink you can say that they have optimised their way of writing, but it is a result of them finding their voice.

It helps if you know what your readers like in your writing, because that helps hone your voice and makes it easier to plot out the next story. But finding out what they like does take a bit of trial and error. But you do eventually learn what they like and what is good enough.

 

No doubt everyone is different, that's just how I do things myself, and only currently. I may change the way I do things with more experience. (Hopefully I do)