Hi Writers,
I am trying to gather some advise on the next step after you have finished the first draft of your novel and are about to jump into the editing stage. I'd like to know what methods other writers use to get through this and do they enjoy this part more than the first draft part?
Thanks guys
I love writing. I can't say that about editing though. But, it has to be done.
I check and recheck, and let someone else with a fresh pair of eyes look at it, and make their comments.
To me, editing is ongoing and I agree with Carla. It's good to let it rest for while and then read it thoroughly again. When I worked, and used to look through my files at some articles I'd written, I couldn't recognize them. I think this is because, when we write, we are attached to it, and it's more spontaneous. When we edit, we tend to be more detached from our writing.
Our brain is very complex. It can sometimes imagine, and predict, and see things differently or see things that aren't there.
So, check, check and check again.
Regards Maurice N
OK, two further points I would add. Try to work on something else before coming back to edit what you've finished. Also, if you know anyone whose opinion you trust, get them to read it and point out anything they think could be improved. You may have to develop a thick skin, and take the criticism constructively, but you'll get plenty of criticism when you're published anyway, and you might as well get used to it, and also get it before it's too late!
All sound advice! One thing I would add (having recently completed a course on writing) - if you can, write something completely different in between finishing the first draft and starting on the editing. It comes back to you fresher if you've more or less forgotten about it first by working on something else.
Oh, and if you have anyone you trust to give you constructive feedback, ask them to read it and critique it, either after the first draft (if you're brave enough) or when you think it's ready for other eyes to see it. Stephen King's advice in On Writing is to write with a particular reader in mind - for him, it's his wife - and ask yourself, when editing, what that person would think of what you've written. Of course, you may have to go through the process of asking them to critique a few times before you can know that without asking!