Writers Guide to Comparing Draft Versions | Rune | Rune Blog

Every piece of writing goes through multiple drafts. From first rough ideas to polished final copy, tracking what changed between versions is essential for effective editing. Rune's Text Compare tool helps writers visualize these changes instantly.

Why Writers Need Version Comparison

Track Your Editing Progress

See exactly what you added, removed, or modified between drafts. This helps you understand your editing patterns and improve over time.

Restore Deleted Content

Accidentally cut a paragraph you now want back? Compare your current draft with an older version to find and recover lost content.

Review Editor Feedback

When an editor returns your manuscript with changes, compare it against your original to see what was modified.

Collaborate with Co-Authors

Working with a writing partner? Compare your contributions to understand who wrote what.

How to Compare Writing Drafts

Open Rune's Text Compare.
Paste your earlier draft on the left.
Paste your later draft on the right.
Use Word Level comparison (best for prose).
Enable Ignore Whitespace to focus on content.
Review the highlighted changes.

Understanding the Highlights

Red (Deletions): Text you removed—consider if it was necessary.
Green (Additions): New text you added—does it improve the piece?
Unchanged Text: Your consistent foundation.

Practical Scenarios

Scenario 1: First to Second Draft

Compare your rough first draft with your revised second draft to see how you transformed initial ideas into coherent prose.

Scenario 2: Before and After Beta Readers

After incorporating beta reader feedback, compare versions to ensure you addressed their concerns without losing your voice.

Scenario 3: Editor's Revision

When your editor returns a revised manuscript, compare it to your submission to understand their changes and reasoning.

Pro Tips for Writers

Tip	Benefit
Save drafts with version numbers	Easy to compare any two versions
Compare before final submission	Catch any last-minute issues
Archive all major versions	Never lose important work
Use side-by-side view	Easier to read prose comparisons

Beyond Prose: Other Writing Formats

Screenplays: Track dialogue and scene changes.
Blog Posts: Compare SEO-optimized versions.
Technical Writing: Ensure accuracy across revisions.
Poetry: Analyze line and stanza modifications.

Conclusion

Version comparison is a writer's secret weapon. By tracking changes between drafts, you become a better editor and produce stronger work. Try Rune's Text Compare for your next revision.