Godiva, Anyone?
I finished my WIP! Last night was a scramble and though I wrote the end scene, this draft is pretty rough in terms of plot. I'm going to need to go back and beef up the external goal and external conflict of the story.
In the meantime, there are some really cute Easter chocolates on the Godiva website. I went ahead and everyone who commented on my previous post because you all are wonderfully sweet and supportive. Finishing would take a lot longer if I didn't verbally create a deadline.
The winner of Springtime Godiva is Karen Amanda Hooper! Congrats Karen. :-)
Now that the manuscript's rough draft is done, I know I have a lot of polishing ahead of me. What's your process after you complete the rough draft?
In the meantime, there are some really cute Easter chocolates on the Godiva website. I went ahead and everyone who commented on my previous post because you all are wonderfully sweet and supportive. Finishing would take a lot longer if I didn't verbally create a deadline.
The winner of Springtime Godiva is Karen Amanda Hooper! Congrats Karen. :-)
Now that the manuscript's rough draft is done, I know I have a lot of polishing ahead of me. What's your process after you complete the rough draft?
Comments
After completing a rough draft (the one time so far that I've done it, lol) I did a quick chapter by chapter edit to catch whatever I could to make it cleaner/fill any plotholes. Then I sat on it. For like almost a month. IT SUCKED. But was so worth it when I went through and reread it with a fresh pair of eyes!
I just go back and read the entire MS. And then chapter by chapter, I begin the GRUELING process of revision. UGH But it sure is worth it when that baby is finished.
I'm on a diet. :( But maybe by Easter, I'll have lost all my weight and ready to pack on the pounds with chocolate. ;)
After completing a manuscript, I go back to the beginning and start reading through it. I tighten up the writing by eliminating unnecessary words, pick up the pace by cutting tag lines (he said / she said).
Those are just a few things. Here's a tip. In order to be sure you are staying within the pov of one character in a scene, read that scene aloud in first person. In other words something like:
She opened the window and searched the road below. He had been gone too long, and a worrisome feeling tugged at her stomach.
Read as:
I opened the window and searched the road below. He had been gone too long, and a worrisome feeling tugged at my stomach.
Jessie, way to go, girl! Make sure you buy some of that yummy chocolate for yourself, too. Okay?
And breathe a sigh of relief. Becuase the hardest part is behind you. :-) I'll take revisions any day over the actual birth of a story.
It's always exciting to finish a rough draft. I usually let the manuscript sit for a couple of weeks before starting the revision process. The break gives me a chance to step away from my creation and look at it with fresh eyes. I'm at the point of rewriting my novel right now. It's a fun and arduous road, but well worth the sweat and tears!
Congratulations!
~ Wendy
Revising and polishing, that's what happens after. Sometimes for a very long time. >.<
Let's see...usually my rough draft is SO rough that the next draft is almost a complete rewrite to make the ms seaworthy.
By the way, if for some reason Karen does not want that Godiva, I will take it.
Now, let it sit for a week or two.
In the meantime, clean your house and read a few books for pleasure. (And have some more chocolate)
That's what I do, anyway. :)
I'll be asking the same question after the 31st.
My routine? I always tell myself to wait a little and let the ms stew, but I tend to be impatient, so I jump right in and start editing. Then I send it to crit partners who find all the stuff I miss. :)
After finishing the first draft, I'm drained. Editing is a worse drain, so I give myself a couple of weeks before returning to the manuscript.
At the moment, my writing is stalled by life events. It's time to get moving again.
Blessings,
Susan :)
After I finish a rough draft, I go through each chapter and make sure it begins with a hook, has a strong storyworld, the characters' GMC for that scene make sense, the emotion is shown not named, and that it ends with a hook....you don't want the reader to put down your book, after all. :-)
Great advice everyone! That's probably what I'll do: reat, eat chocolate, and let the story rest for a bit.
See you all later tonight!
Sigh. Then they have MORE suggestions!!!
I am soooo proud of you!
Blessings,
Patti
We can celebrate our victory together. I finished my first draft last night too. *throws chocolate confetti in the air*
The last half is crap, but at least it gives me a solid shell to stuff with yummy flavoring and add pretty icing to.
(Had to do a candy analogy.)
Congrats! And thank you thank you thank you.
And I usually let the MS sit for a while. Mostly because I'm so sick of it, but also so I can rip it apart with fresh eyes the next time I come to it. Good luck! And congrats on finishing!
As for me, I normally let it sit for about 48 hours, and then I go back at it like a brand new project.
Cheers~
I let my first novel sit for a month. That was way too long.
Let it sit for a day then take a peek at it? If it's overwhelming, let it sit longer. Then dive in with whatever revising/editing method you decide to give a try.
I have yet to find the 'prefect' editing/revision method for me. It may exist.
Congrats again and good luck!
You guys are all awesome and give great advice! Thank you. :-)
Blessings,
Karen
THAT'S WONDERFUL!!!
I'm with you. My rough draft is, well, pretty durn rough.
I put it on the shelf, let it simmer for a couple of weeks, and try to empty it from my mind so that when I return, it's fresh.
Congrats Karen for winning the chocolate....not that I need it, but chocolate. Come on! What's not to love!? *wink*
Congrats Jessica,
Hannah
Anissa, I look forward to reading about your process someday on your blog. :-)
Congrats on finishing! I love that feeling that comes with wrapping something up. :)
Thanks Genny. That seems to be the unanimous advice!