Manuscript
Writing and Revisions
Four
Steps To A Great Manuscript
by
Melissa Alvarez
Step 1: Write the book
Sit down and write. When writing your
first draft you want to get as much of your manuscript down from
beginning to end. Run with your thoughts, your scenes, and your
characters. There will be time to fine tune later. Remember that by the
time you finish your final draft you will trim approximately ten percent
off of this first draft so write as much as you need to get the story
down on paper or your hard drive.
Step 2: The First Revision
Before you start editing put your
manuscript aside and leave it alone for a while. How much is a while? It
can be ten minutes to ten days depending upon your time frame, if
you’re under a deadline or if you just need the time away from the
work. This gives the manuscript time to “cool off” in your mind.
When you read it again you will be pick up any errors easier. It will
either come through loud and clear or you’ll find areas that need
work. If you don’t take this time you might miss something important
just because you’re deeply involved in the manuscript at that moment.
There are some things you need to check
for when during the second draft of your manuscript. First make sure
that your readers meet and get to know your main characters early. If
your reader identifies with a likeable character they will keep reading.
Show their habits, feelings, what they look like, how they talk. Give
the reader a clear picture of your characters.
You also want to make sure your story is
moving at a relatively quick pace. If it’s too slow the reader will
get bored but if it’s too fast they will come away from the book
feeling like they missed something. Don’t rush into the ending but
don’t take a millennium to get there either. Keep a good strong steady
pace and your reader will stay with you and feel satisfied when they
finish the book.
Does the story make sense? Are all of
your scenes in order? Does the story start in the right place? Is there
something at stake for the characters to keep your reader involved? Was
it all worth it in the end? Does the beginning grab your attention and
pull you in? If it doesn’t – rewrite it. A reader will lay a book
back on the shelf if that opening sentence doesn’t make them want to
know what happens next.
Step 3: Do it again – Revision
#2
Now it’s time to trim the fat. Make
every word count. Cut adjectives, adverbs, and qualifiers. Eliminate any
words that aren’t needed. Use specific nouns and verbs because they do
the work within the sentence structure.
Have you stuck with the point of view you
established on page one throughout the book? Read your novel out loud.
You’ll notice errors and places where your dialogue may not be tight
or where your character does something out of character.
The conversation should set the tone of
the work instead of adding qualifying tags. If the dialogue is written
right you can eliminate the he said she said in the dialogue. Just make
sure the reader knows who is talking.
Step 4: The Final Draft
Get out the polish and make this baby
shine! Print your manuscript out and sit down in the corner of your
couch on a day when you can read it from beginning to end undisturbed.
Make notes on the page. This isn’t the time for a huge revision but
the time to add little parts that might make the work come to life.
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