So You've Finished Your First Draft-- Now What?
Contributor
Written by
Maria Murnane
December 2016
Contributor
Written by
Maria Murnane
December 2016

Sometimes I think my favorite part of the writing process is when, after months of toiling at my desk, I finally get to the point where I type in "The End," sit back in my chair, and exhale. I'm not exactly sure why I enjoy this part so much because it's not as if the hard work is done--far from it!

After you finish your first draft, there are no set rules for what to do with it next, but here's what I recommend:

1.    Let it sit for a week, then go back and read it again.

Not only will your batteries be recharged, but after time away you'll be able to look at your work with fresh eyes and make necessary changes to improve it. I'm not talking about catching typos--I mean having a hard look at things like character development, plotlines that may not flow as well as you hoped they would, or even how you chose to begin (or end) the story. It's amazing how much perspective you can get in just a few days away from your manuscript. For example, I know I've created a good character when I find myself reading an early conversation and thinking, This doesn't sound like something so and so would say, then tweaking the dialogue to make it ring true.

2.    Rewrite based on the above.

3.    Repeat steps 1 and 2 as necessary.

Once your manuscript is in a place where you can't imagine changing a thing, it's time for the next step:

4.    Send it to people you trust to be honest with you no matter how much it stings.

For me that's Terri, who is my sister Michele's mother-in-law, and Tami, my gal pal. They will read the draft and give me the honest feedback I need for another rewrite. Or two rewrites. Or three.

After the content of your manuscript is good to go, it's time for the final step:

5.    Find a proofreader who is anyone but yourself.

For me, this is my amazing mother, who always manages to find several hundred mistakes. She's like a freak of nature with the red pen.

After you've finished the above steps, your path to publication is up to you. But, you'll know that whatever route you choose, your manuscript is in good shape!

-Maria

Maria Murnane is the best-selling author of the Waverly Bryson series, Cassidy Lane, Katwalk, and Wait for the Rain. She also provides consulting services to aspiring and published authors. Have questions? You can find her at www.mariamurnane.com.

 

This blog post originally appeared on CreateSpace.com. Reprinted with permission. © 2016 CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Comments
  • Jo Ann Schlicker

    I just have a question. I just posted a draft of an article so I can edit later if I find any problems with it. Can others see it now or do I have to submit it first? Thanks.

  • Maria Murnane

    @Glenna, thanks! I write contemporary fiction/romantic comedy. You can see all my books here!

    https://www.amazon.com/Maria-Murnane/e/B002BLP3B2/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1488498469&sr=8-1

  • Glenna Mageau

    Hi Maria. Good advice. I think walking away from your story is one of the best things you can do for it. It really gives you a whole new perspective on it, that's for sure. Having other's look at it is definitely important. It really helps to know if what you think you have down on paper is actually what you have. :) What genre do you write?

  • Thank you Maria! I'll get this featured for you!