I Completed My Story, Now What?
Congratulations! You finished writing the first draft! What comes next? Is it ready for publishing?
Simple answer: no.
I would strongly urge you to instead to wait. Completing the first draft is a very big step, but before you go diving back into your world, take a moment to step away from it.
Why? When you take time off away from your writing, you allow yourself to approach your world with fresh eyes. You may even look at it and wonder, "What did I just write?". Or, perhaps you wrote the story simply to get ideas onto paper and want to work on fixing it up. Taking a break away from the story allows you to time to digest those areas that need fixing and identity other areas in your writing that need improvement.
How much time should I take off? Well, that's a question that really depends on you and your writing. However, I have found that the best time is to take off enough time to writer another manuscript before revisiting the first one.
Revision, Revision, Revision
There are many approaches to revision. Some do it linearly, others may tackle certain sections or ideas, but ultimately the result will be the same: you will end up with a second draft of your story. Use this second draft to self-improve your writing, address plot holes, strengthen your characters, etc.
My rule of thumb is this: I never let anyone read my first draft because it is ROUGH. Instead, I fix it up and create a second draft that addresses the issues I have and then take that second draft and pass it along to beta readers or writing groups for feedback. Take another break from the story, then use this feedback to craft the third draft. Rinse and repeat for how many ever drafts are needed to create my best work.
Getting Feedback is Key
Don't undervalue your beta readers and writing groups. It's easy to look at our story and be proud of what we've wrote. However, it's also we can also be blind to the weaknesses in our own writing, so getting those independent eyes on your story is crucial for crafting the best story you can. Whether it be hammering out a new subplot, spending more time with favorite characters, or even something as simple as if your pacing works to keep the reader engaged; use these independent sources and go back to your story to revise and improve.
That said, remember that everyone will have differing opinions. If possible, try to find writers and/or readers who operate in your genre as they will be closer to the audience that you are targeting. And remember, what works for one beta reader, may not work for another. You are the master of your story. If there is something that you are really passionate about in your story, keep it.
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