Thank you so much Khai, Lorraine and Louise - very sensible advice here from all of you. I think the dominant theme from you all is to leave the novel for a few weeks....put it aside and write something else, then get back to it with fresh eyes is excellent. And that's exactly what I will do.
What I was struggling with was huge doubt about all of it - too much plot, too much back story, do the characters work, why am I doing this! Blah blah. So I think, as you say, I need to stand back from it for a time.
And I agree about writing a synopsis, it does focus the mind.
Everything you have said is most helpful, and has indeed made my mind up to put it to one side, and perhaps look at a mentoring support much later, perhaps at the end of the second draft as suggested.
Phew~! thanks again all. Really appreciate your time and thoughts x
Lorraine's advice is very good, although I'd suggest leaving the MS in a drawer for even longer than a week or two if you can bear it. The longer you leave it, the fresher your eyes will be and the more problems you'll spot. Something that helped me at this point was to write the synopsis (worth doing even if you wrote one before drafting the novel). Setting out the plot factually from beginning to end highlighted more than one continuity error and several, "really? Is this actually plausible?" moments for me."
Once you've edited the first draft thoroughly - which could include a substantial amount of rewriting - you'll have a second draft. My opinion that a second draft is the earliest draft that's potentially worth showing to others. Personally, I wouldn't go for a paid-for service at this point (save that for later, perhaps). Instead, try to find some beta readers, through a writers' group perhaps - anyone who you can trust to give you their unvarnished opinion.
I currently have a mentor from the Wo-Mentoring project - definitely worth checking out.
http://womentoringproject.co.uk/
There are lots of mentors listed all giving their time up for free in order to bring more women into traditional publishing.
Thank you so much Khai, Lorraine and Louise - very sensible advice here from all of you. I think the dominant theme from you all is to leave the novel for a few weeks....put it aside and write something else, then get back to it with fresh eyes is excellent. And that's exactly what I will do.
What I was struggling with was huge doubt about all of it - too much plot, too much back story, do the characters work, why am I doing this! Blah blah. So I think, as you say, I need to stand back from it for a time.
And I agree about writing a synopsis, it does focus the mind.
Everything you have said is most helpful, and has indeed made my mind up to put it to one side, and perhaps look at a mentoring support much later, perhaps at the end of the second draft as suggested.
Phew~! thanks again all. Really appreciate your time and thoughts x
Lorraine's advice is very good, although I'd suggest leaving the MS in a drawer for even longer than a week or two if you can bear it. The longer you leave it, the fresher your eyes will be and the more problems you'll spot. Something that helped me at this point was to write the synopsis (worth doing even if you wrote one before drafting the novel). Setting out the plot factually from beginning to end highlighted more than one continuity error and several, "really? Is this actually plausible?" moments for me."
Once you've edited the first draft thoroughly - which could include a substantial amount of rewriting - you'll have a second draft. My opinion that a second draft is the earliest draft that's potentially worth showing to others. Personally, I wouldn't go for a paid-for service at this point (save that for later, perhaps). Instead, try to find some beta readers, through a writers' group perhaps - anyone who you can trust to give you their unvarnished opinion.
Good luck!