OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
Many new writers are confused about what happens after you have managed to get the first draft out of your head and onto the page. [Click here to check out my list of recommended editors.]
Maybe you ‘won' NaNo or maybe you have the first draft of another book in your drawer, but we all need to take the next step in the process in order to end up with a finished product.
Here's my process, and I believe it's relevant whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction.
(1) Rewriting and redrafting. Repeat until satisfied.
For many writers, the first draft is just the bare bones of the finished work and often no one will ever see that version of the manuscript. Remember the wise words of Anne Lamott in ‘Bird by Bird‘ “Write shitty first drafts.” You can't edit a blank page but once those words are down, you can improve on them. [More books for writers here.]
I love the rewriting and redrafting process. Once I have a first draft I print the whole thing out and do the first pass with handwritten notes. I write all kinds of notes in the margins and scribble and cross things out. I note down new scenes that need writing, continuity issues, problems with characters and much more. That first pass usually takes a while. Then I go back and start a major rewrite based on those notes.
After that's done, I will print again and repeat the process, but that usually results in fewer changes. Then I edit on the Kindle for word choice. I add all the changes back into Scrivener which is my #1 writing and publishing tool.
(2) Structural edit/ Editorial review
I absolutely recommend a structural edit if this is your first book, or the first book in a series. A structural edit is usually given to you as a separate document, broken down into sections based on what is being evaluated. You can find a list of editors here.
I had a structural edit for Stone of Fire (previously Pentecost) in 2010 and reported back on that experience here. As the other ARKANE novels follow a similar formula, I didn't get structural edits for Crypt of Bone and Ark of Blood. However, I will be getting one for the new crime novel when it is ready because it is a different type of book for me.
Here's how to vet an independent editor if you are considering one.
(3) Revisions
When you get a structural edit back, there are usually lots of revisions to do, possibly even a complete rewrite. This may take a while …
(4) Beta readers
Beta readers are a trusted group of people who evaluate your book from a reader's perspective. You should only give them the book if you are happy with it yourself because otherwise it is disrespectful of their time.
This could be a critique group, although I prefer a hand-picked group of 5 or 6 who bring different perspectives. I definitely have a couple of people who love the genre I am writing in as they will spot issues within the boundaries of what is expected, and then some people who consider other things.
My main rule with beta readers is to make changes if more than one person says the same thing. Click here for more on beta readers.
(5) Line edits
The result of line editing is the classic manuscript covered in red ink as an editor slashes your work to pieces!
You can get one of these edits before or after the beta readers, or even at the same time. I prefer afterwards as I make broader changes of the book based on their opinions so I want the line editor to get the almost final version.
Line edits are more about word choice, grammar and sentence structure. There may also be comments about the narrative itself but this is a more a comment on the reading experience by someone who is skilled at being critical around words.
The first time you get such a line edit, it hurts. You think you're a writer and then someone changes practically every sentence. Ouch.
But editing makes your book stronger, and the reader will thank you for it. [You can find a list of editors here.]
(6) Revisions
You'll need to make more changes based on the feedback of the beta readers and line editor. This can sometimes feel like a complete rewrite and takes a lot of detailed time as you have to check every sentence.
I usually make around 75% of the changes suggested by the line editor, as they are usually sensible, even though I am resistant at first. It is important to remember that you don't have to change what they ask for though, so evaluate each suggestion but with a critical eye.
(7) Proof-reading
By this point, you cannot even see any mistakes you might have made. Inevitably, your corrections for line editing have exposed more issues, albeit minor ones.
So before I publish now, I get a final read-through from a proof-reader. (Thanks Liz at LibroEditing!) After Crypt of Bone was published, I even got an email from a reader saying congratulations because they had failed to find a single typo. Some readers really do care, for which I am grateful and that extra investment at the end can definitely pay off in terms of polishing the final product.
(8) Publication
Once I have corrected anything minor the proof-reading has brought to light, I will Compile the various file formats on Scrivener for the ebook publishing platforms. I will then back the files up a number of times, as I have done throughout the whole process.
(9) Post-publication
This may be anathema to some, but the beauty of ebook publishing is that you can update your files later. If someone finds a typo, no problem. If you want to update the back matter with your author website and mailing list details, no worries. If you want to rewrite the whole book, you can do that too (although some sites have stricter rules than Amazon around what is considered a new version.)
Every writer is different, and there are no rules.
But in terms of time, your revision process will likely take at least as long as the first draft and probably longer (unless you're Lee Child who just writes one draft!). For my latest book, Exodus, the first draft took about 3 months and the rewriting process took about 6 months.
In terms of money, I would budget between $500 – $2000 depending on what level of editing you're looking for, and how many rounds. You can find some editors I have interviewed as well as their prices here.
I believe editing at all these different stages is important, because it is our responsibility to make sure our books are the best they can be. But if you can't afford professional editing, then consider using a critique group locally or online. The more eyes on the book before it goes out into the world, the better.
What's your editing process?
I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Do you have a similar approach or something completely different?
Top image: BigStockPhoto old spanish manuscript, Bigstockphoto time and money
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1 2 3 … 8 Next »I pretty much follow the process above as I find that it's the easiest and most natural way for me (and maybe because I have taken so much advice from your great posts). After writing the first draft I only do one redraft/rewrite though, but this is probably because I spend so long on my first one which is maybe not ideal but seems to work the best for me.
I have then sent my work off to beta readers and an editor, completing one further rewrite based on their feedback and corrections. I was initially quite resistant with it being my first novel as well, but after going over the feedback and points again and again, I probably made about 95% of the changes suggested.
Following that it went back to the editor for a final proofread.
Publication is deadlined for January 2013 so I've not completed that stage yet but will be using scrivener for the ebook formatting and will probably get some paperbacks printed as well :-)
I just want to say a big thank you to you for the Creative Penn, I have gleaned so much from your advice and blog it has not only really helped me in my own writing but has also inspired and motivated me. So, a big thank you!
Thanks Daniel - it's great to know that we share similar processes and I need to work towards fewer drafts :) All the best with your book for January.
"After Prophecy was published, I even got an email from a reader saying congratulations because they had failed to find a single typo." --- wow, as the person who went over that last before publication, I'm absolutely thrilled to hear that! It's made my day!
By the way, I always send authors here for advice and information, and I'm going to be writing a guest piece for a friend's blog soon which will direct her readers here.
Thanks Liz - and thanks for your work on my books!
I usually start writing a story and then if I get stuck, I go back to the beginning and start reading it through, fixing mistakes, and making minor edits, which I know people say not to do, but it really does work for me and gives me ideas! Once I finish a story, I do a little celebration dance, leave it alone for a while, and then go back and read the whole thing through and edit it. I'll keep doing this until I've edited it about six times over and can't find anything else to change. Right now I'm editing two of my books and hope to try and find an agent! :D
I should have added in the celebration dance! That is so important as often we forget to celebrate our milestones because we're into the next thing. Leaving it to rest is really important and something I need to do more of. All the best with your agent hunt (and remember that you can actively choose self-publishing as well!)
Thank you! :D I've thought about it, and I might do it, but my dream since I was six or so (I'm twelve now) is to have an agent and actually get published. But self-publishing has sounded like a very good option!
Follow that dream then Kate :)
Thanks for this timely post. I have finished my first draft and currently reading through to check I've elaborated where I need to (according to scribbles I made on my plot layout). This made sure I did not fall into continuity errors.
I should be done checking this before the Christmas holidays. I then intend to print it all out and re-read and edit over Christmas. I'm hoping this should be enjoyable and come fairly easy, as I used to be a journalist so proof reading and editing was my day job! Thanks for all your advice, so much since I first found your site in Aug/September. Greatly appreciated.
Great to hear that you print and scribble too Lucy :) happy holiday editing ...
In addition to all the steps you've outline, I also edit as I go. I find that this ensure that the voice and story line remain consistent throughout the piece. I'm twitting this.
Thanks Leanne, I definitely don't edit as I go. It makes me realize how terrible the first draft is :) But if it works for you, that's fantastic - as we know, there are no rules!
Um, er, tweeting. Yes, editing is important. : )
This is basically my process, although I'm still on step 1. :)
Like Leanne I edit as I go, although I'm trying to avoid this more and more.
I'll probably end up doing another couple of drafts on my WIP before trying to find a structural edit. I've already had people asking to read it so I shouldn't have a problem finding beta readers. :)
Step 1 is a good start Sandy :)
Writing and editing require the tasks of different brain hemispheres. (Right/left: can't keep it straight. It's not material to the discussion anyway.)
But the way I think of it in practice is more succinct:
* When writing, I love my book.
* When editing, I hate my book. But I can shape it into something I like.
I know how you feel Jim - I really hate the book by the time I am on the 5th edit! Which is why it's so great to have beta readers who bring you back to thinking of it as a story instead of loads of mistakes in a row!
I'm not ashamed to admit it anymore, I HATE the editing part. You'll usually find me, doing the celebration dance with wine and chocolate, thank you! But I know, realistically, that every newborn needs to get cleaned up before they're shown off to the world, so thank you, Joanna, for this post :) Back to editing *takes off party shoes and grumbles.*
I'm not hugely enamored of the first draft writing :) but I LOVE researching and I love the second draft rewriting ... so we all have our favorite parts of the process!
I editing my third book right now. You're right about going over it with a fine tooth comb. Painstaking, but worth it.