Writing my novel has been a process of ‘two steps forward, one
step back’ because I was not able to take the advice of some writers and just
plunge forward without looking back. I did turn around and ponder. I sometimes second-guessed the motives or choices of my characters. I challenged them to take risks. I tried different approaches to scenes.
As I wrote and I changed something about a character, or about
the plot, I couldn’t help myself from going back and making related changes
throughout the novel as I wrote the first draft. I revised as I went along. I
took breaks. I set the manuscript aside often to gain perspective. After two
years of working this way, I finally finished a first draft of my YA novel.
At first, I was in shock. My reaction? No reaction. Again, I put
the manuscript to the side and took a deep breath. I exhaled. And then, a few
days later, came a great sense of satisfaction. Not that my novel is anywhere
near perfect or ready for submission but this first draft is complete. It is
currently 68, 696 words and 242 pages in length.
Now, as I wait for
feedback from a few people, I am hoping to develop some emotional distance from
the novel so that I can be as open as possible to critiques.
In a week or so, after absorbing feedback, I’ll move on to another
round of revisions.
When you finish a first draft of a piece of writing, how do you
prepare yourself for the next stage of revision?
Usually I read a bunch of books to re-set my brain as a reader instead of a writer ;)
ReplyDeleteThen I can come back to the draft with fresh eyes
Thanks. That's something I need to make myself conscious of because often when I am reading novels, I am still thinking like a writer.
DeleteSheri, congratulations on this HUGE accomplishment! It's hard to separate from a story, that's for sure. What helps me most is diving into another story for a few weeks, then coming back. I also take notes as revision thoughts come to me... but don't open the document to "fix." I save them for when I get ready to re-address. Good luck! So excited for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene!
DeleteLike you, I also take notes but during the process of writing. I store them in a journal which I've kept closed during this 'time away.' I plan to post about my revision journal soon. : )