I have less than 7 weeks to meet my deadline of sending book #2 off to my editor. My goal is to complete my manuscript before my baby arrives in November. I will probably not be able to write much the first month my baby is born—so what a perfect time for my editor to critique my novel (more like a red link explosion on MSWord ).
So, what am I doing different for my 2nd book?
- Outline sent out to my editor before I even began writing the book. For a little over a hundred bucks, my editor critiqued my 8page outline (plot/characters, etc.) + included a 3 page feedback letter. Why did I do this? Because with my first book –I had to make major plot changes after the first round of editing, which resulted in rewriting half the book to match the new plot sequence (this resulted in spending a lot more money than anticipated)
- Writing in 1st person POV instead of 3rd, which is a bit of a challenge for me, as I have always written in 3rd person—but it creates an intimacy with the protagonist that I really like. I sent a sample scene of my book written in 1st and 3rd POV to my editor, and she agreed with me that the 1st person POV made the scene feel much more personal/more dynamic.
- I also sent the first 10K words to my editor (and am taking a mini-writing break these few days she has it—while I continue with research, etc.) –because 1st POV is new to me, I want to make sure I am writing it properly & I am staying in the correct tense, etc. I am being much more cautious with this book (ahead of time)—in hopes of having less work later. I would hate to write 85-100k words and have messed up without knowing it!
- So, while I have the outline and critique –I am also veering off the plot a little (not enough to change the plot), but as I write, I tend to come up with better ideas as I become deeply entrenched in the scenes (hopefully I don’t veer too much), that it results in my outline (being critiqued by my editor)- to be a waste of time!!
- Format from the get go (not right before publication). Now that I know how to format from my first novel, it is so much easier to properly format prior to writing (will save me from a major headache later!)
What am I doing the same?
- Sticking to a schedule
- Having an outline
- Using editors and beta readers
- Using a professional cover designer
- Using all major distributors (Amazon, Smashwords, Ingram sparks)
Any tips/advice? Please share 🙂
Hi, Brittney,
It sounds as if you’ve really thought out this process!
I’m writing a sequel to a book I wrote years ago (which I am simultaneously updating so that hopefully they’ll be ready to send out together as the first in a series). I’m facing a problem I always do: if I outline too carefully, I just plain get bored. Half the fun seems to be seeing what they characters will do that I didn’t expect. They have such minds of their own! Sticking too carefully to a prearranged plot got me in a lot of trouble with the book I call my “failed novel.” By golly, the plan called for X to happen, and I made it happen even though the characters hated the idea.
Yet you’re right that this method (serendipity?) leads to a much larger expenditure of time. When you get to the end, you discover that scenes you wrote earlier no longer work, or that you’ve wandered into some pretty confusing thickets through lack of planning.
I don’t really have ideas for resolving this dilemma for myself. You’re on a tight schedule! If I were, I would definitely do more of what you’re doing. It’s great that you have an editor whose advice you trust. That is an incredibly valuable asset.
Good luck!
Thank you! Yeah- I like having an outline to know where the plot is going- but I totally agree- the characters have a tendency to take over & new things happen I never expected!!
Best of luck on writing your sequel!!
Seeing achievable goals is a great way to stay motivated. I think this list could be a great help to brand new authors, too. Sending the first 10,000 words to your editor, among with an outline early peaked my interest! Maybe I should have done the same. Thank you for sharing!
🙂
I’ve just tagged your blog in a 777 challenge. Feel free to play along! https://scribblesoncocktailnapkins.wordpress.com/
Thank you – I appreciate it – I recently participated in that challenge though, but I look forward to reading yours!!
Bah! Somebody beat me to it. All the best!
Enjoyed your post though!! For some reason I do not get email notifications of your new posts- and so I am discovering some great posts of yours right now!!
Your writing process is a good one. You are much more organized than I am! Ha! I began my first novel in May of 2014 and I seemed to have learned everything the hard way … and I’m still learning. I definitely wished I had used beta readers before I hired an editor. As far as the outline, it is typically only inside my head. I tend to write the first draft rather quickly and then I fill in all the blanks from there. I love filling in the gaps and discovering the needs of the story as I go along. Happy writing and congratulations on the upcoming birth of your child. 🙂
Thank you! And good luck with your writing! Everything always changes- even since this post I have decided to rewrite in 3rd Pov… still debating- ahhh! Thanks for stopping by my blog- be sure to share your work on my “authors/bloggers share your work post” which comes out the first of every month 🙂
Thanks for letting me know about the first of the month sharing. I’m looking forward to it. And, yeah, everything always changes! That’s half the fun. LOL!