**This post is part of the Writing 101: From Concept to Query (and Beyond!) series. For an overview of planned posts, take a look at the series introduction**
Last
week, we looked at the process of drafting a novel, and different
methods writers use to get from page one to finally typing THE END.
Several times throughout that post, I mentioned the need for RIGOROUS
REVISIONS, and so this week, we’ll explore the revision process—how
you might go about it, and ways to get the most out of your editing.
week, we looked at the process of drafting a novel, and different
methods writers use to get from page one to finally typing THE END.
Several times throughout that post, I mentioned the need for RIGOROUS
REVISIONS, and so this week, we’ll explore the revision process—how
you might go about it, and ways to get the most out of your editing.
There
are two key ingredients to successful revisions. They are
are two key ingredients to successful revisions. They are
Time
and
Perspective
After
you finish drafting your novel, it’s important to step away for
awhile. Take a few weeks, or even months, and resist the urge to peek
at your masterpiece. Consider it a well-earned vacation for your
writer brain, or, if time off isn’t your style, start work on
another project.
you finish drafting your novel, it’s important to step away for
awhile. Take a few weeks, or even months, and resist the urge to peek
at your masterpiece. Consider it a well-earned vacation for your
writer brain, or, if time off isn’t your style, start work on
another project.
Once
you’ve taken some time away, it’s time for a complete
read-through of your draft. I’m sure revision strategies vary, but
I’d highly recommend following this step. It’ll give you an
overview of your plot, your character arcs, and your pacing. Take
notes as you go to refer to later.
you’ve taken some time away, it’s time for a complete
read-through of your draft. I’m sure revision strategies vary, but
I’d highly recommend following this step. It’ll give you an
overview of your plot, your character arcs, and your pacing. Take
notes as you go to refer to later.
While
it’s possible to revise multiple elements at once, I’d also
recommend planning on at least two rounds of revisions—one for big
picture issues in which you’ll cut what doesn’t work, add scenes,
tie up loose ends, solidify character development, etc. In a second
round of revisions you can deal with smaller, more mechanical
problems—grammar and spelling errors, filter words, the way
sentences flow, etc.
it’s possible to revise multiple elements at once, I’d also
recommend planning on at least two rounds of revisions—one for big
picture issues in which you’ll cut what doesn’t work, add scenes,
tie up loose ends, solidify character development, etc. In a second
round of revisions you can deal with smaller, more mechanical
problems—grammar and spelling errors, filter words, the way
sentences flow, etc.
(Because
I’m giving a lot of advice right now about what personally works
for me and most of the writers I know, I do think it’s important to
point out that everyone’s process is different. Just because
something works for one person, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you,
or that you have to feel bound to doing things a certain way! You
can, however, think of these as revision best practices—they’ll
help you to revise efficiently and prepare you for the sort of
editorial work you’d do for an agent or editor.
I’m giving a lot of advice right now about what personally works
for me and most of the writers I know, I do think it’s important to
point out that everyone’s process is different. Just because
something works for one person, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you,
or that you have to feel bound to doing things a certain way! You
can, however, think of these as revision best practices—they’ll
help you to revise efficiently and prepare you for the sort of
editorial work you’d do for an agent or editor.
Be
prepared for the fact that revisions can take longer than the actual
drafting process. As you revise and hone your techniques, hopefully
the revising process will become streamlined, but every book is
different. I’ve personally revised a book that went through
eighteen drafts, and another that went through four. Take as much
time as you need to get to the point where you’re as confident as
possible in your story, and can’t see any further changes that need
making.)
prepared for the fact that revisions can take longer than the actual
drafting process. As you revise and hone your techniques, hopefully
the revising process will become streamlined, but every book is
different. I’ve personally revised a book that went through
eighteen drafts, and another that went through four. Take as much
time as you need to get to the point where you’re as confident as
possible in your story, and can’t see any further changes that need
making.)
Once you’ve taken time to get a bit of perspective of your own, gone through multiple drafts, and are convinced you have a work of genius on your hands, it’s
time for real perspective–the outside kind. It’s time to let people read your book baby and remind you that in point of fact,
you’re probably not the next JK Rowling 😉
time for real perspective–the outside kind. It’s time to let people read your book baby and remind you that in point of fact,
you’re probably not the next JK Rowling 😉
It’s time to
find yourself some
find yourself some
Critique
Partners
Partners
I’ve
written about CPs here at AYAP before, discussing how important they
are, what role they fulfill, and places you can start looking for
them. In brief, a critique partner is another writer who will
critique your work, generally in exchange for your critique of
theirs. It can be a one off relationship, in which you agree to read
a single work or even just a handful of chapters, or if you connect,
you can decide to exchange work indefinitely.
written about CPs here at AYAP before, discussing how important they
are, what role they fulfill, and places you can start looking for
them. In brief, a critique partner is another writer who will
critique your work, generally in exchange for your critique of
theirs. It can be a one off relationship, in which you agree to read
a single work or even just a handful of chapters, or if you connect,
you can decide to exchange work indefinitely.
You
may be tempted to think now, “Oh Laura. I’ve done so much
revising on my own, and finding CPs just sounds like a lot of extra
work. Why would I go to all that trouble?”
may be tempted to think now, “Oh Laura. I’ve done so much
revising on my own, and finding CPs just sounds like a lot of extra
work. Why would I go to all that trouble?”
Well, remember that
perspective I mentioned? Critique partners will provide it in spades.
They’re not attached to your work the way you are. They’re
looking at it with fresh eyes. They won’t get precious about things
the way you might be tempted to. Good CPs are worth their weight in
gold. I would personally never send out a word that my CPs haven’t
okayed first. Not only that, but if you make a great connection with
critique partners, they can also serve as an emotional support
network during the next steps of your writing journey. Writing can be
a solitary pursuit, and it’s great to find your people. Having a
small community around you makes such a difference both to your craft
and your quality of life while pursuing publication!
perspective I mentioned? Critique partners will provide it in spades.
They’re not attached to your work the way you are. They’re
looking at it with fresh eyes. They won’t get precious about things
the way you might be tempted to. Good CPs are worth their weight in
gold. I would personally never send out a word that my CPs haven’t
okayed first. Not only that, but if you make a great connection with
critique partners, they can also serve as an emotional support
network during the next steps of your writing journey. Writing can be
a solitary pursuit, and it’s great to find your people. Having a
small community around you makes such a difference both to your craft
and your quality of life while pursuing publication!
It’s extremely important to approach CP feedback with
humility. Spend time thinking over the suggestions your CPs make and
really weighing whether or not they’re right for your story. Be
ready to change your mind, but also don’t compromise your vision
for your manuscript. Incorporating editorial feedback well is an art-form in and of itself, in which you use suggestions from your readers as a springboard to take your manuscript to greater heights.
humility. Spend time thinking over the suggestions your CPs make and
really weighing whether or not they’re right for your story. Be
ready to change your mind, but also don’t compromise your vision
for your manuscript. Incorporating editorial feedback well is an art-form in and of itself, in which you use suggestions from your readers as a springboard to take your manuscript to greater heights.
Once
you’ve gone through multiple drafts of your own revisions, and made
more changes based on critique partner feedback, your manuscript is
finished (for now)!!! Rejoice, rejoice!
you’ve gone through multiple drafts of your own revisions, and made
more changes based on critique partner feedback, your manuscript is
finished (for now)!!! Rejoice, rejoice!
HOWEVER
Sometimes
you may still feel like there’s a trouble spot in your manuscript
that you can’t quite put your finger on. Or you may get conflicting
or confusing negative feedback from your critique partners. If you
sense your manuscript needs a bit more work to get it to the next
level, but neither you nor your CPs can see how to get it there, you
might want to consider hiring a freelance editor.
you may still feel like there’s a trouble spot in your manuscript
that you can’t quite put your finger on. Or you may get conflicting
or confusing negative feedback from your critique partners. If you
sense your manuscript needs a bit more work to get it to the next
level, but neither you nor your CPs can see how to get it there, you
might want to consider hiring a freelance editor.
Freelance
editors are not always necessary, particularly if you’re pursuing traditional publication as opposed to self-publishing, but they can be extremely helpful
when you’re not sure what needs tweaking in your manuscript or how
you can best resolve problems. Freelancers are paid for their work,
and I absolutely recommend doing your research before hiring a
freelance editor, to ensure that they’re legitimate and aboveboard
and that previous clients have gone away satisfied with the service provided.
editors are not always necessary, particularly if you’re pursuing traditional publication as opposed to self-publishing, but they can be extremely helpful
when you’re not sure what needs tweaking in your manuscript or how
you can best resolve problems. Freelancers are paid for their work,
and I absolutely recommend doing your research before hiring a
freelance editor, to ensure that they’re legitimate and aboveboard
and that previous clients have gone away satisfied with the service provided.
While the
insight of a freelance editor can prove invaluable, it’s also not
always necessary. You will know best what your manuscript needs.
insight of a freelance editor can prove invaluable, it’s also not
always necessary. You will know best what your manuscript needs.
We’d
love to hear more about your revision process in the comments below,
and will be back next week to discuss what steps to take after your
books is completed and revised!
love to hear more about your revision process in the comments below,
and will be back next week to discuss what steps to take after your
books is completed and revised!
About the Author
Laura Weymouth is AYAP’s contest coordinator, working to create opportunities for you to get samples of your work in front of agents right here on Adventures in YA Publishing.
Laura lives on the edge of the woods in western New York, along with her husband, two wild-hearted daughters, a spoiled cat, and an indeterminate number of chickens. Her YA fantasy debut, THE WEIGHT OF WORLDS, is forthcoming from HarperTeen in the fall of 2018.
You can follow Laura on Twitter and add her book on Goodreads.
