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Jul.20,2012Last week, I finished my 3rd draft.
I made so many plot, character and even setting changes in this draft that it actually feels more like a first draft. It’s become a completely different story from the one I started, so I know I’m still leagues away from a final cut.
I’m dying to work on the next round of revisions, but I know that the more distance I get from my work, the more objective I will be, and the easier it will be for me to kill my darlings—if necessary.
So this whole week, I’ve been doing everything to try and forget about my manuscript for a while.
It helps that I have the usual stuff to do for my blog, writing group and martial arts classes. On top of all these things, I’ve added a few new items to my to do list.
I’ve started watching episodes of Pretty Little Liars. Apparently it’s the show teens are watching nowadays. It’s riveting, to say the least and I totally get why teens love it. It deals with so many of their own issues, but with added bonus of an unsolved murder, a dangerous stalker, and ever deepening mysteries.
I’m also reading SELF-EDITING & REVISION by James Scott Bell. I’m picking up so many helpful nuggets of wisdom and I’ve decided I should write these down so I can easily access them again when I start revising.
Despite being busy with all these wonderful distractions, my mind still wanders back to my manuscript. I haven’t given in to the desire to start revising, but I have let myself think about it at least.
To appease my eager mind, I made a list of things I’d need to do during the revision process, and scheduled each task on my calendar.
This has had the adverse effect of making me even more excited to dive in to my revisions, however. I was thinking of waiting at least 2 weeks before I begin revising. Now I don’t know if I can even wait that long.
So, what do you do once you’ve finished a draft? How long do you wait before you start revising your manuscript? Any good revision tips?
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That’s a great book. One of the best. Generally accepted to put your work aside for at least a week, maybe longer, but if it’s speaking to you so loudly maybe you should get it out of that ‘drawer’ again and go for it. I’m never finished with mine either!
I don’t set mine aside for long because by the time I finish, I’ve forgotten how it began.
I go with my mood and don’t try to force it. Sometimes I read for a few days but other times I have to jump in and start revising.
I think a little time and space is a good thing. It probably varies with everyone, and for me, it depends on what kind of writing it is. For the WIP, a few days to a week is good, for other stuff, a few hours, or a day or so is best.
Congrats on your 3 rev. Nutschell!! I know it seems like it never ends, but then one day, all you have left to do will be promotion…and then you will yearn to get back to writing.
Chris
I usually read something else, or work on another project for a couple of weeks to a month. Congratulations on finishing the 3rd draft!
Nut:
Sometimes those ditractions can help you write out what the story needs. Its all good.
Hugs,
shelly
Nut:
Sometimes those ditractions can help you write out what the story needs. Its all good.
Hugs,
shelly
Congrats on your 3rd Draft!!! I usually wait between two weeks and month, sometimes more, depending on other projects I’ve started.
I think James Scott Bell’s book is wonderful. I took a writing class that used this text.
Nutschell “The show to watch after you finish the third draft” should be the show slogan.
I usually go straight from the end of a revisin striaght into the next one until I feel the story makes sense and most basic errors are sorted (usually three or four revisions), and then I leave it for at least a month. After which i discover all kids of new problems.
mood
That’s a great book… I tend to let my manuscript sit for a few weeks before I go back to it with fresh eyes, as well as send it to some CPs:)
I think you’re wise to give it a little distance. As for me, I finished a 2nd draft and spent the next two weeks revising another manuscript — and now I’d like to be ready to tackle the 3rd draft of the one I’ve let simmer. But I’m also feeling a little burned-out, so I might have to see what else is streaming on Netflix… =]
Wait at least two weeks before revision, and when you do that revision do it quickly, not dwelling on specific sentencing and such. Then wait another two to three weeks and do it again. The third time you can delve deeper and do the little details.
I always have a hard time letting my manuscript go. What usually helps is writing short stories. Congrats on the completion of your 3rd draft.
Congratulations!
Do you know, I finished a round of edits too, but then I got sidetracked by drafting a new idea, so I haven’t gone back to enter all those edits/changes. Now you’ve just reminded me – distance from the story is a good thing!
Whoa! A third draft completed! Awesome job and congrats! I’ve finished my first and have set it aside to marinate before I dive into editing. I’m thinking a week or two should be sufficient. . . .if I can hold out that long. ;P