Do you find yourself rewriting your manuscript over and over again, but you just can’t feel right about it?
I call this the rewrite cycle.
As a writer, you might have experienced the infamous writer’s block. Once your manuscript is finished you may rewrite it once for good measure for any number of reasons.
This is where things can get dangerous.
The rewrite cycle or manuscript block as I sometimes call it is when the manuscript is finished, but for some reason you won’t allow yourself to take the next step. Writers I’ve interviewed have related this to fear of rejection or an anxiety about the quality of their work. Their beta readers often show positive responses, but they feel that something always needs to be changed. A little edit here, a little edit there turns into another whole rewrite.
Realizing you’re stuck in this cycle can be just as valuable a tool as any anti-writers block measure you’ve learned.
Here are a few ways I’ve learned to combat this:
1. Look at what each of your rewrites has done
Look back at each of your rewrites (If this isn’t your first) and ask yourself if they added necessary things to your manuscript.
Is the world better crafted after this rewrite?
Is the language it’s written in something you’re happy with?
Is the story paced in a way that you are satisfied with?
If you answered no to these questions, then perhaps the rewrites haven’t been as effective as you may have thought. These three questions, in my opinion, are the three most important questions to ask yourself before the manuscript should be sent off to your editor.
If you’ve answered yes to those three questions, then I have a new set of questions for you:
What are your rewrites adding to your story?
What are you hoping to gain from each rewrite?
If you don’t have a clear writing goal in mind, then you aren’t going to get results you’re happy with. If you rewrite with no goal other than “I hope it comes out better this time” then maybe it’s time to move on to this last question.
What is the next step I can take to get my novel published?
First things first, get an editor.
An outside perspective (Especially a professional one) is valuable for any author with any amount of experience or education. Good editors will bring an objective view to your story that the writer simply can’t have.
Write a Query.
If you plan on self publishing than good news, this is where you sign off! You’re ready to publish on your own and head off into the wonderful world of being a published author. For those publishing traditionally, once the editing process is finished it’s time to start your queries. Research what agent are looking for your type of novel and look over their submission guidelines (I prefer manuscript wishlist) and start up writing! Having a solid query can often be the difference between having an agent and not having one. Unfortunately, most publishing houses will not take you seriously if you aren’t represented by an agent so having one is a must.
This step often takes the longest and most successful writers could stack up their rejection letters higher than their ceiling so you can’ be afraid of rejection. Take to heart every note on every rejection letter you receive that person took the time to give you information that could be invaluable.
Once you’ve finally been accepted it’s time to work with the publisher.
Congratulations! You’re published!
Thank you for reading my little article! Like and comment below with your thoughts and advice for other future writers out there!
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