Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Back to the Manuscript -- Part Four

It's time for a break.

I've completed the second rewrite of my manuscript. While I'm generally pleased with the storylines -- plot and subplots -- there's still a lot of work to be done.

As mentioned in previous posts, I usually go through a manuscript 10 or 11 times before I'm satisfied enough with it to submit it to my publisher. I was hoping it wouldn't be the case with this manuscript, I know now that it will be the same as the others. Poor me.

But by putting more effort (rewrites) into the manuscript, that means a richer read when the process is completed. And isn't that what we strive for as authors?

So I'm going to take a 12-day break from the manuscript, give it lots of thought and take notes here and there, and return to it with renewed vigor and fresher eyes. I know I mention eyes a lot, but it's important to see something in a different light. If not, you read over words without seeing them -- and oftentimes you see them when they aren't there.

Until the next time...


5 comments:

  1. I applaud your effort to produce the best possible manuscript to your publisher. Oh that all authors did the same! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jay. It's a time-consuming process, but when it's over, it's worth the effort. Good luck with your writing endeavors.

      Delete
  2. I can't begin to tell you how many times I go over mine before I'm satisfied. I was with a friend recently for a write-a-thon weekend and read her a part of my manuscript. By the time we left I'd been back over that same material six times before I was satisfied. So know you are not alone.
    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sure you understand, Teresa. And the thing about it, you're never really satisfied but you have to let it go at some point and move on to another story.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is so true. You have to put one story to bed before you can move on.
    Teresa

    ReplyDelete