When You Think You're Done Writing...

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There is no other feeling like typing, “The End.” You have worked and worked on your manuscript, and now you’re done. Take a break and celebrate.

Now the work for the next phase begins. You need to polish and revise this to make it the best that it can be. If you’re going to query it to agents and publishers, you only get one shot.

  • Go through your manuscript and remove all unnecessary or overused words. Use the find/replace feature. (Mine are “that,” “just,” and “a few minutes.”)

  • Reread your manuscript and make sure the plot flows and the events move your story forward.

  • Make sure that your main character is likeable and human. They shouldn’t be perfect. If they are, then, there’s not that much conflict. (Make sure that your reader knows who the story is about. You don’t want confusion.)

  • Create a document that summarizes what happens in each chapter. This will help you see plot holes. (You’ll also need it later as an outline for a synopsis.)

  • Make sure that you didn’t leave any minor story lines hanging. Readers will want to know what happened to something earlier in the story.

  • Find a critique group, beta readers, or a writing partner to read your whole manuscript and provide you with feedback. (Parents, friends, and spouses are great for feedback, but you need someone who is going to tell you about the good, the bad, and the ugly.)

  • Look over your feedback and make revisions. Sometimes, this means rewrites.

  • Print a copy and check for typos, misspellings, and any other inconsistency. (I probably do this three or four times before the book is ready to send to an editor or agent.)

  • I hire an editor to go through what I think is my final version. Then I go back and make the changes and proofread the book again.

Then take a few minutes to celebrate all the effort that it took to get your book ready. Now, it’s time to think about marketing and promotion.