We've all heard of writer's block. What about revision block? What happens when students--or any writers--try to re-invent their work? Why do they sometimes get stuck?

1. Revision Block
A CURATION PROJECT PROPOSAL
BY BRIANNE HOLMES

2. What is Revision Block?
Revision block is writer’s block during the
revision stage.
In revision block, something hinders writers
from re-imaging their writing, or something
keeps them from applying their re-imaginings to
their written work.
Writers may feel trapped.

3. Questions I Might Investigate
What causes revision block?
How is the revision process different from drafting
processes?
Is revision block fundamentally different from writer’s block
that happens earlier in the writing process?
How can teachers encourage students to move past revision
block?
Are there helpful questions or exercises teachers can use to
help students become unblocked?

4. Why Research Revision Block?
Personally, I have a strange relationship with
revision. As a creative writer, I revise to the point of
obsession. When writing more academic papers,
however, I loathe large-scale revision.
I have observed in others the same reticence to
revise, both in creative and academic works.
Since revision is emphasized so strongly in creative
writing, I am wondering how it is approached in
composition and whether there can be parallels.
I was intrigued by Mike Rose’s article “Inflexible
Plans, and the Stifling of Language.” I’m wondering
if some of his ideas and strategies can be employed
at the revision stage.

5. Why Research Revision Block?
As a writing consultant, writer, and prospective
teacher, I would like to find strategies for
overcoming revision block and helping others
do the same.
I want to kick over revision block, so that we
can move on to more engaging, stimulating,
writing.