Revising Your Manuscript

I’m currently revising my first draft manuscript. It’s taken me longer than anticipated, but I do believe it is creating a better story. During the revision phase, my goal is to clarify scenes/dialogue that wasn’t up to par in the first draft and add the details my critique group mentioned. I do have to change some scenes completely. As a writer, you have to be open to changing your manuscripts to present the best possible story. Don’t be so entrenched with your work that you feel no change is necessary. Every story can be revised and edited, especially when your characters do something you didn’t plan for them to do and you have to get your story back on track.

First, write your story all the way through to the end. Get a finished first draft so that you have something to work from when you revise. If you write and revise, write and revise, you’ll never finish the story. Write your story, no matter how long (or short) it is, how long it takes you, how many computers you blow up. It is an awesome feeling to be able to write “The End” and mean it. It took me just under two years to write my manuscript in my spare time. I still have to work for a living.

Second, use a critique group. They will provide invaluable information about your story, your characters, and your style. The more diverse the group, the better your story will be because of them. Critique groups are also online. Find one you are comfortable with and listen to them. They represent a portion of your future audience.

Third, when you manuscript is complete, then go back and edit it. Stay in the creative mode for as long as possible, but once you type “The End” become an editor and look for ways to make your manuscript better. There will be times during the editing process where you do have to create (as I mentioned in the first paragraph). When that occurs, focus on that one scene, finish it and get back to editing.

Fourth, don’t count on Microsoft Word as your editor. Spend a little money and have your manuscript professionally edited. The publishers will thank you for it. At least I assume they will. The more time and effort you put into your manuscript, the more positive feedback you will get.

It is a job trying to become a writer. I hope this blog of my journey will help you in yours.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I finished The Heart that Gives earlier this week. It can be read multiple times as a refresher on how to be a good Catholic steward. I started Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets yesterday. It’s a tale of a female hunter in northwest Colorado who gets lost and the female ranger who goes looking for her.