Have you ever struggled with writing, erasing line after line, feeling like you aren't making any progress?
You re-read your draft, think it looks empty, and feel tempted to give up midway. That's a feeling many writers share. It's easy to assume that true geniuses write flawless masterpieces on their very first attempt.
The truth is quite the opposite. The famous scholar and author of The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco, relied on the Montage Editing Method to shape his world-renowned novels.
What seems like an inefficient detour is actually the secret mechanism that transforms an average draft into a masterpiece. Let's look at how Eco approached writing and how you can apply his mindset today.
Is Rewriting Dozens of Times a Sign of Poor Skill?
It's common to wonder if rewriting the same page over and over means your initial plan was flawed.
For Eco, rewriting was standard practice. He spent six to eight years researching and building his fictional world before ever writing a line. Once he sat down to draft, he reworked individual pages dozens of times.
Rewriting wasn't a punishment for failure. For him, it was the ultimate form of creative enjoyment—a hands-on way to test the texture of his prose.
What Should You Actually Check When Editing?
Many writers focus on fixing grammar or searching for fancier words. Eco was sensitive to something entirely different: tone and rhythm.
He used what can be called the Montage Editing Method. Just like a film director cuts and splices footage to build tempo, Eco edited his prose by adjusting its auditory flow and structural cuts.
Specifically, his approach relied on three techniques:
First, he read his drafts out loud. He trusted his ears to spot awkward pauses and flow issues that his eyes missed.
Second, he viewed structural shifts—like flashbacks and timeline changes—as core elements of his style. The way information was revealed was a cinematic decision.
Third, he physically edited his work. In the era of longhand writing, he used scissors and glue to cut up paper drafts and rearrange paragraphs. After moving to computers, being able to revise 20 times a day simply made his standards higher.
In short, editing isn't about correcting typos. It's about playing the sound and imagery in your head, cutting and assembling scenes until the rhythm feels effortless.
Behind the Scenes of The Name of the Rose
Eco's debut novel offers a striking lesson in artistic integrity.
The first 100 pages of The Name of the Rose were filled with dense monastic history. Friends and editors urged him to trim those pages, warning that readers would find them too difficult.
Eco refused without hesitation. He explained that if someone wants to enter a monastery and live there for seven days, they must accept its rhythm. The first 100 pages served as a rite of passage.
When it came to the core architecture of his story, Eco never compromised. Holding onto that uncompromising vision gave his writing its distinct dignity and depth.
What If You Feel Anxious Before Writing?
Writer's block often stems from fear. Yet Eco famously remarked, "Before sitting down to write, I am deeply happy. I have no anxiety."
He felt no anxiety because he spent years preparing the world beforehand. More importantly, he believed that "a good book is always smarter than its author."
Instead of forcing a rigid outcome, he welcomed unexpected accidents that occurred during drafting. He trusted the story to lead him into depths he hadn't planned.
You don't need to write a perfect first draft. Enjoy the process of polishing your words ten times over, and give your ideas room to grow.