The third pass is the most important one

Gabe Anderson had a great post recently that really applies to editing.

He says that when painting a room, the first coat is fun, and the second coat helps fill in the holes. However, it is the third coat that is the most important:

As much as the second coat was suppose to be the final coat, it isn't. It's just not there yet.



The third coat isn't fun at all. It barely makes a difference…but the difference it makes is vital. The third coat takes it from almost done to completely done.

When writing, the first draft is always fun. The second draft requires more work, less fun, and more attention to detail.

But the third draft (or fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth...) is the most important. It makes the most significant difference and makes reading your writing a pleasure.

Even though you think the writing is done, it isn't. Not until you do that third (or more) coat.