But I'm not totally discouraged. In fact, I've noticed a number of similarities between writing fiction and the stuff we lawyers produce. Hey, structuring is just the kind of activity at which we excel. Fiction thrives on tension, which is created by irony - where characters don't get exactly what they want, but instead get something less definite, less predictable, more puzzling. Sounds just like what happened so often to my clients . . . .
Revision is integral to the creative process.
A story grows with each draft. . . . Finally you reach the point at which you feel you've done all you can to make the story as complete as it can be. For years, I've been holding forth on the critical distinction between achieving excellence and seeking perfection. How reassuring it is to know there's a fictional analogue.