People new to writing novels sometimes think that the words should flow straight out on to the page perfectly first time. This simply isn’t the case.

Editing is a normal part of the writing process. You might need to go through your first draft several times before you show your work to anyone else.

You will want to make sure everything makes sense. You might want to cut unnecessary scenes, lengthen exciting parts, change ‘tells’ into ‘shows’, remove typos, improve grammar, flow, dialogue and pace… All this is totally normal.

The editing process might take longer than the initial draft!

Honestly, it doesn’t matter if your draft needs three edits, thirty, or even a hundred. What matters is that you finish, and make your story the best it can be.

How will you know when to stop revising? When you realise if you change anything else, you are going to start spoiling it!

Relieved to know that you’re normal in needing to edit? Great! Raise your head, get that first draft down, then do as much editing as you need. It will be worth it! Someone is waiting for your story.

Have a great week,

Janet Wilson from Write for a Reason and Dernier Publishing

Janet

P.S. Every so often when you are editing, copy the full story, and work with a new version. Then if you don’t like some of the edits you have made, all is not lost – you can go back to the old one!

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Editing Your First Draft
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