Writing that feels alive - found in drafting or revision?

I've been experimenting with my drafting lately. Like a mad scientist. Obsessing over my prose in a way that departs from how I normally draft -- not consciously, but like a background program I can't turn off. To be fair, certain aspects of my writing have suffered. I miss beats. I overwrite description. I meander. Unacceptable -- I know. But my first drafts now seem to come alive on the page, rather than feeling flat or contrived. I'm curious if others have had success mixing up their own process and seen noticeable improvement. Where do you strike the balance between drafting immersion and prose discipline? Or is this just some feeble attempt to satisfy that gaping hole in my ego that begs to write like Cormac McCarthy? Don't answer that last one... Might be a good conversation for tomorrow's Q&A.

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Writing that feels alive - found in drafting or revision?

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