Recently, a woman who’s writing her first manuscript reached out to me. She was feeling discouraged because she heard experienced writers talking about how many manuscripts they wrote before penning one that was strong enough to publish. She asked me for my thoughts. I’m sharing here what I shared with her, in case it’s helpful to aspiring writers or insightful to readers who enjoy learning about what goes on “behind the scenes” of the books you love!
First, I’m sending my encouragement! It’s FABULOUS that you’re about to finish the initial draft of your novel. What an outstanding accomplishment!
Based on my own experience, the experience of my author friends, and my years of mentoring beginning writers, I’ve seen that it takes most of us a lot of practice to write a novel well. Usually, learning the craft of writing is something that requires time. This is a long game.
In my case, I spent four years writing four manuscripts before I published one. Even so, all these years later, I’m embarrassed by the book I published first (in the late 90s for a general market publisher) because I’ve grown so much as a writer and person since then.
In most cases, a writer’s fourth manuscript will be much stronger than her first because she’ll have been learning as she goes, receiving feedback, and pouring all that greater and greater knowledge into each subsequent manuscript.
Above, I’ve used the terms “usually” and “in most cases” because there are exceptions. Every once in awhile, a writer will publish her first ever manuscript, and it’s terrific. But typically (not always) when that happens, it’s because she reworked and reworked that first book, spending the same amount of time on it she’d have spent writing four had she put that first one on the shelf and moved on.
Self-publishing is fabulous but one of the dangers of it is how easy it is to release a less-than-great book. You only have once chance to be a debut author. You’ll get extra buzz then. But if readers try your debut book and they don’t like it, you’ll have a hard time coaxing them to try your work again. So it’s best for an author’s career for her debut book to be very strong.
I’d suggest that you finish this draft, rewrite it as best you can, and then seek out trustworthy feedback. From an experienced freelance editor, for example. It’s only when knowledgeable readers (not bookish friends or family members), published contest judges, etc are all saying, “This is outstanding! This is ready to be published!” that I’d consider taking that step.
I’m cheering you on because you’re doing the exact right thing at this stage. You’re completing your first manuscript. And that’s a necessary stepping stone to whatever comes next …. whether with this book or future books.
Writers and readers, what are your thoughts?
Becky Wade
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Excellent advice, Becky. It takes time, patience, and great feedback from mentors snd critique partners to create a strong story. Have a great weekend.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, too!
some excellent advice
🙂
I sold my very first book to a small New York mass market publisher. They didn’t edit it at all. Nor any of the books that followed. I had no clue about content edits, line edits, or copy edits until I sold to another house. That blue penciled manuscript (back in the day before track changes) was a huge shock. As I tell writers, all of my mistakes are in print. You don’t want that. You really don’t want that.
“As I tell writers, all of my mistakes are in print. You don’t want that. You really don’t want that.” Yes! I agree wholeheartedly.
As another aspiring writer working on her first manuscript, I am very grateful for the advice. Thank you so much!
My pleasure! I’m wishing you all the best!
Wonderful advice! I deliberately wrote two completed manuscripts for practice before trying to write something for publication, and then I significantly rewrote part of that third manuscript based on an editor’s helpful feedback. The story is much stronger, and I’m looking forward to seeing what doors God opens for publication, and meanwhile I know I still have much more to learn as I keep going forward.
That’s exactly the right mindset to have, in my opinion, Erin!
This is just what I needed to hear. Editing and editing and I know it could be better. I don’t want to pitch too early but I also don’t want to be someone who works on the same book for years and never sends it out. I will keep practicing the craft, it is such a joy to paint with words.
I’m glad this post met you right where you are, Cynthia!Editing is a huge part of this process. In fact, I’m neck deep in editing myself at the moment and thinking hard about how to make the story better.