For The Next Draft: A Photo Essay.

How to handle an overwhelming list of to-dos (in an edit!)

Up until now, I’ve published books for young readers. But many of you know (and thank you for the lovely, supportive messages!), I’ve been working on a new novel for two and a half years.

A murder mystery…

My agent is wonderful, but unsure. Why change direction when it was all going so well? (That’s a longer essay, another day…) Today, I want to share with you how I deal with edits.

I just finished draft 8. Throughout, I’ve used a document called For The Next Draft.

In it, I chuck every tiny (and HUGE) thing I need to attend to, next read. This helps me keep momentum and focus.

But…

The document became 28 pages long. Frankly, I was overwhelmed.

Clearing The Decks:

First, I tidied my office.

Then I got out scissors and glue. I printed out the notes, cut them up and started to look at each one. The cat helped!

I sorted, used stickers and coloured pens, and now every note, every thought, every question is now ready for the last-but-one draft.

It looks like:

I’ve never done this before. Usually, I write on a wing and a prayer. But this book needs more from me.

Wish me luck. And please tell me books you’re reading, things you’ve taken time with recently, how you are?

I love hearing from you.

xoxo

Alice

If you’re new here, my name is Alice Kuipers and I’m a writer, mother and dog & cat-owner transplanted twenty years ago to the Canadian prairies from England. I’ve published fourteen books in 36 countries and my writing has been described as: “For storytellers and story lovers,” by Kirkus Reviews; ‘Gorgeous, heart-ripping, important,” by VOYA; and “Intense and wonderful” by Bif Naked. Join me for coffee breaks, book conversations, and to share my writing life together.

Xoxo