Re-using old copy
May 28th, 2004 by Bill
I usually hang on to the documents I write. They get filed away, though not in a particularly organized way. There are a number of practical reasons for doing this but the main reason is because somewhere in my head I believe I’ll use them again and save myself some work.
It never works out that way.
Yet the idea seems so logical. Why start from scratch when something already exists? Why write something new when all I need do is tweak something a bit, edit and rearrange some words, and voila! A quick script.
The idea of existing-document-as-template seems sound. But it’s not the reality. What ends up happening is I waste loads of time trying to track down the document I think I can use then, assuming I do, struggle with making it fit my current project.
For me, the quickest, fastest way to write is to begin at the beginning. Collect the material, arrange it, then start writing. The truth is, whether I’m aware of it or not, a template already exists in my head. My experience tells me how to organize and present the copy.
The lazy part of me thinks he can get away with finessing something old into something new. The practical part of me knows it’s not so. He also knows that beginning from scratch also means he won’t have to waste time trying to make something new out of something old.
On the other hand, my old writing sometimes does have one use. Occasionally it will help prompt an idea and even get me into the right mind set for whatever I’m working on.
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