So, I finished my first novel a few weeks ago and now I'm not sure what to do with it. I've heard to let it sit for up to a couple of months before revising it but I've already made a list of things to be fixed. So my question is: What do I do from here?
My original plan was to wait until the fall semester ended at my university so I could concentrate on it and not worry about exams or other papers. But now I'm wondering if I should wait longer than that. It's about 20,000 words but this is the rough draft. (By rough I mean it's the first complete version)
I think if you've already got a list of things to fix, fix 'em now while its fresh. There are lots of times that you'll become aware of problems during the writing process or just after, so there's no point in letting those sit if you're just going to make those same changes in a few weeks/months/whatever.
The real good from letting your work sit is to come back to it with fresh eyes once the bloom is off the rose, the rosy sunrise has given way to harsh flourescent bulb of reality, etc. Giving it some time lets you see the problems that you can't see now - so if you already see the problems, fix them first. Then let that cleaned up draft sit for a while (work on something else, don't let yourself get rusty) before you go back to it.
Just as an example of my work methods (which won't necessarily work for you), when I finish the first draft of a story I go back through almost immediately. Now that I know the end, I can add stuff and cut stuff -- do the wetwork. Then I do one more cleaning pass for typos and terrible phrases, etc. Then, I let that cleaned up version sit for a while. That way, when I take it out to re-read with fresh eyes, it's not a typo-ridden mess and I'm not looking for problems I already know are there.
Hope that helps!
To piggy back off A. Peal. After you make the changes and let it sit for a while, you can come up with a strategy to re-edit your work.
For instance you can start by first looking at the overall Plot/Structure and ask yourself key questions. Does each scene or chapter progress the story? Does each chapter end with a cliffhanger? Then go into editing for the main character, dialog, and then line editing....and so forth.
Once you're done that, beta readers are great with letting you know if your work needs a little bit more to make it the best it can be, they can tell you what works and what doesn't and find errors that you missed during your editing process.
After that's all done, there are some great editors and proofreaders out there. Depending on your budget, you can get on goodreads or Absolute Writes and find an affordable editor for your book. Also, your college may have free editing services for students.
Nice one Keiri.
What they said.
At least in my situation, I also note whether some names could cause unnecessary confusion. In my experience that's more of a thing for you to do, than have beta look for. In my experience with line edits, they can often suggest to much. When I want big picture stuff.
I've written long enough I can find line errors without any sort of denial.^^
Yea, I can generally look for line errors like that on my own. Often I'm looking for help on character development (which I kind of sort of figured out, but not quite), and other larger issues like consistent world building. (I do science fantasy, or used to.)
There's lots of good advice here, especially the points about having a plan on editing. Just remember to stop and take stock every once in a while about what's working for you and what's not. There's no one right way, so even if this is one of your first times going through the editing and revision process, hopefully it's far from your last. Your method will change over time - maybe for each story/novel/etc. - so just think about what it is you're trying to accomplish and how well it's working. You can always try something else!
First, congrats!
Second, yes I'd get that school work done first! Then consider swapping critiques or getting betas, as someone else said. Imo there's really no substitute for those other eyes on it. I'm always shocked at what others see that I missed. Good luck!