So after successfully completing steps one to six, you should now have your completed first draft, but wait, it doesn't end there! The next step is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT step of all. The editing...
Step Seven
After your first draft is completed, you have to reread it, often more than a few times.
You have to check your consistency, whither your plot is strong and there are no plot holes. Grammar, spelling and sentence structure needs to be checked. Unnecessary words can be edited out ('just' and 'very', for example) and often you would need to rewrite either the beginning or the ending, or, in some cases, multiple chapters.
I often have to shuffle my chapters around, not only in chronological order, but also to enhance the particular scenes in the chapter.
There is no time limit on how long this would normally take, so don't ever feel like your editing takes too long. There's no such thing. You need to be happy (195% actually) with your manuscript. If you're not, then it's not ready yet. Take your time. Read through every single sentence. I always read mine out loud, to hear if it make sense, especially the dialogue.
Get someone to alpha-read your manuscript, to check the grammar, the spelling, the consistency. A fresh set of eyes can do wonders. They often spot little mistakes that we overlook, as we, the writer, know the story so well, that we skip over it. Don't ask why, that's just the way it is! :)
Also, look for a few Beta Readers as well.
They're a little more 'advanced' than alpha-readers, in a sense, and extremely handy to have.
After all your edits, rewrites, more edits, more rewrites, shuffling of chapters, another rewrite, YOU ARE DONE!
xxx S
Step Seven
After your first draft is completed, you have to reread it, often more than a few times.
You have to check your consistency, whither your plot is strong and there are no plot holes. Grammar, spelling and sentence structure needs to be checked. Unnecessary words can be edited out ('just' and 'very', for example) and often you would need to rewrite either the beginning or the ending, or, in some cases, multiple chapters.
I often have to shuffle my chapters around, not only in chronological order, but also to enhance the particular scenes in the chapter.
There is no time limit on how long this would normally take, so don't ever feel like your editing takes too long. There's no such thing. You need to be happy (195% actually) with your manuscript. If you're not, then it's not ready yet. Take your time. Read through every single sentence. I always read mine out loud, to hear if it make sense, especially the dialogue.
Get someone to alpha-read your manuscript, to check the grammar, the spelling, the consistency. A fresh set of eyes can do wonders. They often spot little mistakes that we overlook, as we, the writer, know the story so well, that we skip over it. Don't ask why, that's just the way it is! :)
Also, look for a few Beta Readers as well.
They're a little more 'advanced' than alpha-readers, in a sense, and extremely handy to have.
After all your edits, rewrites, more edits, more rewrites, shuffling of chapters, another rewrite, YOU ARE DONE!
xxx S
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