So, lets assume you took my advice, added new words every chance you got, and you’ve just typed those magical words: ‘The End’.
What now? Well, it’s pretty simple really. Don’t start editing.
‘Doh!’ I hear you say. ‘Why not?’
Because you’re not ready to edit yet. You’re too close.
Instead, make notes on things you didn’t act on because you were busy writing. Create a big list of them in bullet point form. Include all the things you’re desperate to add or remove, concepts you want to introduce or changes that need to be made.
Throw in all the ideas you had or couldn’t find a means to put in, add anything that need to be changed for consistency, or whatever else that comes to mind.
Now, unless you’ve got a pressing need to present a polished manuscript to a publisher (like maybe you’ve landed a contract), put the novel away along with your notes and begin another one.
Yes, start another novel (not a sequel! You can’t sell a sequel until you sell the original, and if that never happens you’re wasting your time!). So, write a second novel – something entirely new, and finish it.
Why?
Two reasons. Firstly and most importantly, by putting it away for a while you’ll get distance from your first novel. You’ll be able to spot the flaws, the inconsistencies, the mistakes. You’ll also be fresh and ready to tackle it again.
The second reason is a little different – but just as valid. You’ll be less precious about it. Your masterwork will no longer the be-all and end-all of your novel writing endeavours. There’ll be a second novel waiting for your attention. And if you’re smart, a third one on the way.
So, where do you go from there?
Like I just mentioned, start writing a third book, but don’t fall into the trap of just writing new books. You need to finish the first one now.
While you’re working on number three, begin editing the first. Set a time limit and aim to have a complete redraft finished by the time you’re done writing the third novel.
You’ve got that right. I spent 60 years writing and re-writing about 30 pages. Just finished first draft and thought I was ready to start editing.
I do have a question, though. Do your 2nd, 3rd, etc. novels have to be in the same genre as the first? I’ve heard that a publisher/agent won’t want a 2nd novel that’s in a different genre than the 1st, because they’re hoping you’ll build up a following in a single genre. Can you comment?
Thanks
Judith
Hi Judith. I can comment, but it’s mostly based on what I’ve heard. There’s no impediment to publishing in multiple genres, but you’ll probably need to write under a couple of names for a couple of main reasons.
1. Readers expect something from you – and switching genres tends to mess that up a bit (ie, if your first book is a romance and your second an epic fantasy, most of your established readers will probably be disappointed).
2. Bookshops tend to have difficulties figuring out where your books should sit if they’re in different genres, and they’ll often get it wrong and put the wrong books in front of the wrong buyers. That may not be such a problem with e-books.
3. Publishers are a commercial concern – going down the path of different genres requires marketing to different audiences, which raises costs and divides your market. You can only produce so many books in a year too, so it makes it hard to maintain any specific audience.
There are probably a bunch of other reasons, but Hope that covers the basics.