Alteration is another word for revision, and revision turns out to be much more important to great writing than I once understood. I am all for inspiration, which rarely arrives ready to promenade in its beautiful rosetted hat. Fashioning inspiration into compelling language most often takes returning again and again to the early words.
Ten years ago I made a medical decision that resulted in major changes to my body and the picture of it I carry around in my head. One of the consequences was needing to re-evaluate much of the clothing I wore and the way it fit me. “Whole new wardrobe!” said encouraging friends, but manufacturers don’t design for women with shapes like mine. It seemed both more practical and more interesting to see if I could modify shirts and dresses I wanted to keep. Learning to alter has been a stop-and-restart activity. I’m a long way from having the skills to remake every garment in my closet, but the process has given me a metaphor I seem to be hanging onto.
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Edith Friedman 