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
I can totally appreciate having that physical copy that you've cut and paste and ordered, can really help to organise one's brain! I hope it all goes really well for you!!
I've had family and friends enjoy reading my substack and tell me I should write a book. The thought of having to go back and edit everything I've already written and published is so overwhelming!! So, good on you!! Cheering you on!
I'm forever trying out new ways to attend to editing to get the most from those never-ending read-throughs... I do make changes as I go, though (I start each day's writing by going through the day before and making sure I'm happy with it), so I don't have a document like yours to play with using scissors and glue. Perhaps I should try it!