Edit, Revise, Rinse, Repeat

This week, I tackle another completed manuscript and ready it for queries. STARS IN MY POCKET is my fourth YA novel. Two books are part of the Logos Publishing House bookshelf and a third awaits an agent's love. If ON THE ROAD TO MARTY MCFLY doesn't land an agent, I'm hoping STARS will.

For the past four weeks, I've been editing, revising, sharing, and repeating the process on both manuscripts. Although the task is tedious and sometimes frustrating, I know the attention will only improve and tighten the stories.

Since this is my current world, I thought I'd share my steps with you. I'd love to hear others' methods when it comes to fine-tuning a new manuscript.

Here's my story...

After I've written the final chapter, I will put my work away for at least a month. While it sits and finds itself, I busy myself with other writing projects and catch up on my reading.

Next, I read through the story on my computer (in its Scrivener form) and listen to the flow, watching for key plot points and erroneous tangents.

If the story flows, I begin re-reading the book for as many major characters as it has. If there are three main characters, I re-read it three times, focussing on that character, his back story, details, arcs to plot and other characters. Then I take a read-through for the collection of minor characters, bringing them more to life.

I keep this editing/revising process moving for weeks and sometimes months.

Each time I read through the book, I edit and revise sentence structures, word usage, and grammar.

When I'm close to the end, I read through for filter words (words that pull the reader out of the story). Scrivener is great for this.

My final revision mode is on Kindle. I compile my manuscript, send it to Word where I format it, and email it to my Kindle app.

I read it like a book, but I use the notes and highlight colors to catch errors that slipped past on my computer.

Sometimes, I find major plot issues. In that case, I might go through a major revision and repeat the editing/revision process all over.

Throughout this time, I am meeting with critique partners and sharing with beta readers. All feedback helps.

Today, ON THE ROAD TO MARTY MCFLY awaits my critique partners' read-throughs to help tighten the plot. Two agents liked the writing and voice, but both had trouble with the plot.

STARS IN MY POCKET is on my Kindle with notes. I've read 68%, and will next go back to Scrivener to repair seams and mend holes.

It may not be a perfect process, but it works for me. Soon--I can feel it!--I will get that agent call. Until then, all I can do is edit, revise, rinse, and repeat.

What are your practices for editing your manuscripts? Please share!
Write on!

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