Finished your novel? Great. Now, put it down and let it sit for a bit. Because you're going to need all your strength to get through this editing process. This is a long haul, don' t forget. This graphic is perhaps the best flow chart I've seen to lay out the process.
When you get it out of the drawer, look at it critically. It's OK to be harsh on yourself. It's OK to admit that the first thing that came out of your pencil or off your fingertips on the keyboard was not the best thing you're ever going to write.
We have to give ourselves permission to write terribly, sometimes, just to get the story on paper -- so we can begin editing it. As I've said before, editing is where the magic happens.
Most writing advice stems from getting additional readers for your MS once you've finished it, but what is "finished?" Don't seek out beta-readers or even a critique group until you've REVISED -- a couple of times. How many? I don't know. This graphic may help you decide. It will depend on how honest you are with yourself about your own story.
I didn't go looking for a critique group until after round 3 of revisions (not including the first three or so versions of the work, from years and years ago, which I did subject a critique group to, and it was NOT ready. Sorry and heartfelt apologies!) and I completed three more revisions while having the current group read the WIP and give feedback.
Critique groups and beta-readers are vital for feedback, but don't solicit them until you've gone through a few rounds of revision on your own. Don't make them read your rough draft, or first draft, or that draft in which you're still figuring things out and the direction you want the story to go.
Ultimately, and unfortunately, most critique partners and beta-readers won't know what flaws to look for in your MS. They don't read the genre you've written, they are struggling writers themselves, and rightfully, they are focused on building their own skills and craft -- not developing yours.
So be honest with yourself before sending your work to beta-readers. Eight beta-readers gave me feedback on the WIP, and four fellow starting writers critiqued the MS. In addition, it was picked apart by one heck of a good alpha-reader, and it's being workshopped / critiqued in various conferences.
I put it down for a while. I picked it up the other day, thinking it was "in pretty good shape" and "maybe ready to query." I intended to hit it with the red pen, one last time, just to proofread it and make sure I wanted every word I used.
Guess what?
It needs more revision. There are a couple of spots that are glaringly awful. It's not ready, not by a long shot. My words don't convey what I want them to convey, always.
So.... I'm back editing and rewriting. Again.
Keep your goal -- a published book -- in mind. Don't cave to that little voice in your head that's throwing a bit of a tantrum, and maybe even whining, saying: "But I don't want to have to deal with this anymore! I want someone else to tell me what's wrong with it." You can pay (an arm and a leg!) for a full manuscript critique, but chances are, you know where your MS is weak, weaker and weakest.
There's a lot of work you can do to get your MS ready, before you can honestly say, "I can't make this any better." I want a shot at selling what I've written, and I can't do that, if it isn't better than good - it's gotta be the absolute best I can make it.
Back to the keyboard (after I finish with the red pen!).
