When you finish writing a script, it is never really done. There will always be changes and how you handle the construction of those changes will define your life as an author in the center of the creative core.
When making changes to a script, I prefer the idea of “revision” over “rewriting” — because to many amateur Playwrights — “rewriting” means changing around dialogue while “revision” means, to me, the redacting of dialogue and plot and the entire reconstruction of part of the play or even the whole idea of the play.
Playwrights do not usually like to make changes because one change often leads to another and that can quickly descend into a dominoes-like falling of every constructed plot point.
However, that cascading effect is essential to tempt, because — if one domino falls, the plot should be able to sustain that loss — if not, then there will be much more revision than rewriting and that means the author must be strong enough and wise enough to know the definition and the difference between a quick fix and a major rebuild.
Revision is a much better term than rewriting.
Sometimes a domino effect is necessary when you realize that you make a reference early on and then contradict yourself later on — over and over again. Do you take out the early reference or change all of the later contradictions? Tough call.
It is a difficult process, Gordon, but with the right training and experience, the process can be helped and made clearer.