What to do after writing a first draft?

What to do After You Finish the First Draft of Your Book

1. Let it rest. This part can be the most difficult.
2. Read it all the way through, once.
3. Revise.
4. Read it through again — out loud.
5. Make any final revisions.
6. Write a synopsis.
7. Write a query letter.
8. Figure out who to send the query letter to and go out on submission.

Is it OK if my first draft is bad?

Let’s start off with a fact: most (if not all) first drafts are terrible. Even Ernest Hemingway says so. There’s not really any avoiding this, not even for the most talented or experienced writer. But when you think about it, the concept of a less-than-stellar first draft is actually quite liberating.

Why is my novel too short?

If your novel is too short, it’s probably because you’re telling too much and showing too little. Go over it and find opportunities for showing.

When should I edit my first draft?

Unless you already have a contract with a publisher and must meet a deadline, give your first draft time to settle before you start the editing process. We’d suggest at least two weeks, preferably four. If you can, move onto something else or completely take a break from writing.

Can a rough draft be incomplete?

It does not have to be perfectly formatted, in complete sentence form or edited – you will fix those problems in the second draft and/or final draft. The rough is more about crafting your argument than polishing it, and thus may include incomplete thoughts or ideas laid out in outline format.

How do I edit a first draft?

How to Edit the First Draft of Your Novel

1. Let It Sit. Gaining perspective on your novel requires that you wait a little while before jumping into revisions.
2. Find Your Novel’s Purpose.
3. Read It Through.
4. List Your Problems.
5. Find Solutions.
6. Start Your Second Draft.
7. Seek Feedback.

How do you write your first draft Are you a think write writer or a writer writer writer?

Writing a First Draft

1. Just write. You already have at least one focusing idea.
2. Make an outline. Write your topic or thesis down and then jot down what points you might make that will flesh out that topic or support that thesis.
3. Begin with research.

Is 43000 words enough for a novel?

A story that is over 40,000 words is generally considered a novel. However, it will be on the short side, as the average length of a novel hovers around 50,000-70,000 words. That said, if your book is around 40,000 words, you’re in good company.

How long does it take to edit first draft?

We’d suggest at least two weeks, preferably four. If you can, move onto something else or completely take a break from writing.

Should you buy a copy of your first draft?

If you’ve just finished writing your first draft, I highly recommend buying a copy. Read it while your book rests. And then go through the book chapter by chapter and do the work on your manuscript. Eventually you won’t have to make so many revision passes. I can do all of the work at once now for a couple of reasons.

Do you have to read your first draft before publishing?

What you’ve written is a first draft. If you want to write your very best book, there is a lot more work to do before you’re finished. Because I’m a book editor, I know that some writers submit their first draft to a publisher, possibly without ever re-reading their work.

What happens after the first draft of a book?

Especially your first book. It shifts something in your psyche. You know you can do it, now, and nothing can ever take that away from you. That’s a feeling I want for every writer who has ever dreamed of writing a book. But once you’ve finished that first draft — there’s still work to do.

What should you do after you finish your first draft?

But once you’ve finished that first draft — there’s still work to do. Let it rest. This part can be the most difficult. You’re riding high on excitement over finishing that first draft and you want to get to work on it. I get it. But letting your manuscript rest so that you can come back to it with fresh eyes is important.