HOW TO EDIT A FIRST DRAFT ✏️ developmental editing tips from an editor
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2024
- Writing a book is hard, but it's only the beginning. Now it's time to edit your book, and editing a book can feel like a daunting task, especially when you're a new writer. Today I'm sharing a ten-step process to editing your first draft. If you need a bit of help with outlining and plotting, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Save the Cat, which I have linked below.
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Every 5 chapters I do a mini book report to keep track of character motivations, theme consistency, what’s been set up what’s been paid off and how well the emotional journey tracks. Make sure no one’s wallowing for too long or bounces back to quickly and that the plot isn’t rushing or dragging. By the end I have 4 - 6 reports I can look over which helps zero in on problem areas or at least what I thought were problem areas at the time of writing.
I wish I could send you a picture. I now have 575 sticky notes on my wall. I am astounded that I have accumulated this many little stories for my SMILES book. I am slightly overwhelmed at the accumulation of content and my publishing goal. The sticky notes on the wall provide a great chance to “see” the content organization. Your utube was very helpful even though my book is not a novel.
I summarize scenes instead. It helps me to figure out if it belongs in that chapter or not.
That's a great approach! I enjoy the chapter-level summaries because I'm able to see a brief snapshot of the entire book. The scene-by-scene outlines seem to help me more when I'm on the second or third round of edits.
Just recently learned I’m in a zero draft and I’m relieved. Because it really is
Natalia, I have to tell you that this video has given me so much to think about. You see I'm a pantser and when someone says outline, I know that this just won't work for me. I've tried to, believe me, and all I manage to accomplish is not writing my book. So I generally just go back to being a pantser. No one has ever said just write your first draft and then go back and do an outline summary of every chapter you wrote for developmental editing. This is such a brilliant tip and one that I am definitely going to try. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will definitely be sharing this video with all of my fellow social media writers. Congratulations on your 11K subscribers. I like the direction of writing tips that your channel has moved to. I think this will definitely grow your channel faster because most writers are looking for something like this. Thanks again.
I used to always tell people that an outline was necessary but the deeper in the community I've gotten, I've met more and more pantsers. Anyone who says an outline is necessary is just ignorant. I work with a loose outline, but a detailed outline just doesn't work for me.
Awesome I’m actually in the leave alone phase
I might argue that it's the most difficult phase ;) I always want to just jump right back into my story, lol
I start outlining by summarizing every chapter. I like the idea of doing it during the editing stage as well, because things tend to change quite a bit when you start writing lol
Thanks for sharing. I actually did buy the book Save the Cat! and I love it! You're right, it has been very helpful. I consider myself a planser, ( I do like some outlining, but I especially like to discover my characters and their story).
Getting a proof copy of the original draft is an awesome idea. I usually print mine out and put it in a binder. I let it sit for a few days then sit down to read it and write what needs to be fixed in the margins. But a mock-copy is a really cool idea. Might try this method for the book I'm currently working on.
When everyone is overhyping going paperless, it's cool to hear your advice about mock copy. (I'm all for saving trees, but there are options like recycled paper, to avoid living online/only being at kindle at the mercy of google surveilence). That's the most fresh tip, alongside so many other... it's great to have the perspective of someone who is an author plus an editor
Just printed my zero draft a few minuts ago... If that's not perfect timing, I don't know what it is. [loa in action]
I used LOA for this video too!!
Yes, LoA! I wish you the best of luck reading through your draft :)
@@NataliaLeigh thank you !
@@NataliaLeigh what is Loa please ? Am an Egyptian .
This helped me realize something about my protagonist and antagonist. I already knew what my protagonist wanted was not actually a good thing for him, which is why he doesn't get it at the end. But the realization is the antagonist/villain actually wants the same thing, for the protagonist. And that's part why he's the antagonist. Thank you.
Girl!! Your timing!! What?! I have Save the Cat on Kindle AND Audible! Broke it out yesterday to lay out the next two stories in my series and I wish I discovered it sooner! Im such a pantser but i see the value in plotting. Yeah, game changer! Thanks Natalia!
The Concrete Confessional addiction project just released a two-part essay on JK's achievements and controversies. It's written in a hilarious style (by a medical student who is in recovery himself) and is by far the best overview of the ups and downs that I've come across. Highly recommend
Your video couldn't have come at a better time for me. I've never done a second draft of a novel before my current WIP, and when I started working on it in January I quickly realised I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. Turns out I've done a couple of these things already, so I was kind of on the right track, but now I have a real plan. Can't thank you enough :)
Hi Donna! I'm happy to hear you found this video helpful. It's easy to get lost in developmental edits, but I find that having a plan REALLY helps keep me focused and on track. Happy editing!
I found this video super helpful. Right now I'm outlining my book chapter by chapter with beat points included.
Hey Thomas, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The chapter-by-chapter summary is SO helpful to me. I hope it works for you as well!
Ha! I've given my first novel twelve years to sit! Thanks to your videos, I'm doing major cleanup.
Lord I'm editing my first ever novel that I wrote during my first nanowrimo (WINNER 2019) and Lordt. I needed this video. My book is so bad😂😂😂😂 for now ❤️ #WhatAmIDoing
Congrats on winning NaNo last year! That's amazing! And I hope you found this video helpful. The first round of edits (I think) are the most difficult, but you can push through!
Jessica Dorcey: What, did you win an award for a first draft...?
@Medietos oh no no no nanorimo is national novel writing month and you are considered a “winner” if you write a certain amount of words everyday for the month of November!
Exactly what I needed :) videos great
Your videos are always very helpful. While I have heard a lot of this before, exposure to the same things are what helps to get them ingrained. Pushing forward, I’ll need to keep all these tips in mind because they are the great fundamentals. Thanks for the video! P.S. almost done with Song of the Dryad. Your writing style is excellent. Can’t wait to leave my review.
Yippee! Thank you for some great tips! I will be using a lot of them.
So helpful! Thank you! I’m so excited to get to work!
Thank you!
The best vlog on editing I have found. Thank you.
This, Is, Wonderful! Thank you for making this video! I'm positive it will help many, including me., with writing their stories.
I LOVE your videos!!
This is what I needed so much. I was so lost, thank you. Extremely helpful!!
Amazing video! Thank you!
thank you 🙏 the way you explained it brings clearity into the process
I'm just starting in developmental editing, and this was really helpful to get me started! Thanks Natalia.
This is so astoundingly helpful! Thanks a bunch
Wow Natalia! Thank you very much. Phenomenal video and tips. I'm in the process of doing my developmental edits. Perfect timing and perfect descriptions. Thank you again. Peace, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll!!!
Thank you so much this is some great advice! I'm so excited to get to this point. You are awesome!
Hi Elizabeth! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
This was extraordinarily helpful. Thank you!
This is the best video on tackling a first draft that I’ve found so far! I just finished a first draft yesterday and am currently riding the high of finishing, but I’m also freaking OUT about what I should do first. I’ll be watching this on repeat to help me work out my revision process haha. Thanks!!
Thank you so very much for this video.
This video was timed so perfectly. I'm going through 1st draft edits but getting so confused because I'm trying to do all editing chapter by chapter and it's just overwhelming. I decided to stop and read through and going over the story first as I know there are changes I want to make in places. These tips are brilliant. Thank you. Hopefully by the time I'm ready send you my manuscript it will be in a much better place lol
Thank you. I have watched this video several times and found new ideas and inspiration for editing. ❤
Thank you for this!!!! I have my novel draft printed and am about to go through it and make notes. Perfect timing!!!!!
You're very welcome Sarah! I'm glad this came at a good time, and have fun reading your draft! It's one of my favorite parts of the process, red pen and all :)
I was intimidated by this whole process of editing but the way u do it makes so much sense. And I can already see myself implementing what you've taught me with great ease. Here, take my sub
Glad I could help! Happy writing!
This is really helpful, I feel like I have some direction to my monstrosity of a first draft now!
I'm starting to edit my first draft and have been feeling lost, and this was so helpful. Thank you!
Did you edit the whole thing after writing it first or did you stop ch by ch and do it?
Thank you SO MUCH for this. There's so many resources out there for writing/drafting but I feel like there's a LOT less for editing! I recently completed a draft of a novel and felt so stuck when in came to edit. This video has been great! You had some really helpful tips. Thank you!
Thanks, Nicholas! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. ☺
This was extremely helpful
Happy to hear it Tracy :)
Thank you for a good, generousvideo talk! Good luck.
Thank you love ☺️🙏🏽
Not editing on my computer is great advice for me. Thanks!
I took your recommendation and purchased a copy of Save The Cat! Writes a Novel. BEST ADVICE EVER!! Thank you so much! All of this helps me, a novist writer, write my first draft!
I'm so glad you found STC helpful! Happy writing!
Good stuff! Thanks!
This was really helpful
Great video!!
Killer advice!!! Love it 😊
Happy to hear it Heather!
You talk such sense!!!! Goodness😯 Why did I just find this ?????
Very interesting and valuable advice. Immense thanks. I treat each chapter as it were a story with beginning, end.and a goal to reach, moreover an ending to lead the story forwards (maybe a cliff-hanger). Likewise, a dialog has to fight for its presence in my novel. Your advice gave me more food for thought and I THANK YOU. By the way, I was delighted to read (almost) on your arm the word Ahimsa.
Great advice! Reassuring to know I've done the first two steps correctly 😂, i just sat down last night to begin my read through of my freshly printed 150,000 word first draft. This will be a fun and interesting journey 🎉
What I have been doing is asking Chat gpt to summerize every chapter. I found a few double ups this way 😅
Excellent
I'm so happy you featured this topic in a video! And that you'd mentioned beta readers. I wasn't sure exactly when to bring them in, but it seems like it's fairly early on in the process for anyone who's planning on getting published.
What I'm currently doing for the first book in my "Knights of the Wraithmaker" series is zero drafting one act at a time, going back to revise, then edit, THEN move on to outlining and zero drafting act two. It's been so much easier and far less overwhelming to break the first story down in this way and seeing how the scenes build up piece by piece. And yes, I've been using Save the Cat! for this new series and it's amazing!
Hi Melanie! That's an interesting method of editing! Like I mentioned in the video, every writer does things a bit differently. I need to write the entire book first and then edit it as a whole, but others like to edit in smaller chunks, and that works too!
Just ordered Save The Cat Writes a Novel.
I just go through it with someone else while she has a printed version and I work on the computer near her as i read the story out loud. For both written errors and if it sounds off or too much. Helped alot
As I came here to get tips on working on my Harry Potter fanfic all the Harry Potter and Voldemort examples were really flooring me in a very funny and sometimes slightly jarring way :D
Printing out my work and using colored pens to destroy it is one of the best feeling while editing it but when transferring it, whooooshhh
I also read my book out loud and act out every scene from each character's perspective. Helps the dialogue become more natural 🙃🙂
Highly recommend that anyone watching SWU content read the Concrete Confessional addiction blog's article on the ethical issues / controversies of Mark Laita and SWU. People with backgrounds in medicine, law, and social work are starting to call him out on the dangers of what he's doing to vulnerable people, and Mark's defense of "I'm not going to listen to anything from anyone who does less than me" is starting to sound pretty unreasonable.
Cool
could you put out a vid on editorial meanings such as what is antagonist and protagonist ect
The Concrete Confessional addiction blog just dropped an article on the ethics / controversy / value of Mark's Soft White Underbelly project... Def worth checking out!
10 chapters shy of finishing the first draft. I'm gonna print it like you said and begin working after my beta/sensitivity reader gets back to me.
I used to be a pantser but I’ve found that outlines are much more fluid when it comes to writing it out.
I agree. It seems many writers start off as pantsers and then slowly discover which method works best for them. Yeeeears ago I used to try to pants novels, but I never finished a single one!
Speaking of huge, monstrosity of a novel.....*eyes her 600 page + book baby*
How do I upload work onto my kindle? I am working my way through your video Natalia; you are a godsend. Thank you so much.
I exactly got wt I was searching for,thank you so much ma'am ❤️, may I know shall we stop editing after we are done with editing with a professional editor?
Could you do a video on how to prepare a manuscript for submission to a copy line editor?
This was super helpful! How long does your first round of developmental edits usually take you once you start going (after the break)?
I'm glad you enjoyed it! And it depends on the length of the story. Pistol Daisy developmental edits usually take about a month, but edits for Song of the Dryad took me 3-6 months, if I'm remembering correctly.
@@NataliaLeigh Good to know! Thank you for all the help and educational content you provide! Looking forward to ur beta videos cause that my next step!
Where do you get a profcopy from? It looks so neat
I must be the only person left on the plant who has never read a Harry Potter book seen any of the movies or been to the theme park, or ever wish to do any of that.
Nope. I haven’t either. I had the books but eventually gave them to a thrift store.
Amazing video!
I am looking for the beta readers video that you referenced, but I cannot seem to find it on your channel. Can you direct me to it? 😁
I know there’s a lot of developmental edits I need to do so I might end up rewriting almost the whole book
Hey, where do you print your book and how much is it? I'd love to print a copy of mine if it's possible to just print one copy.
Thank you I hand wrote my 1st novel and now I’m typing it all up omg why didn’t I just type it 😫
This might be a silly question, but would you recommend printing out your first draft even if it’s a TRASHHHH draft? Lol I feel like I should do an edit of making it less bad before seeing it on paper, but would love to hear what you think!
The lower the quality, the more you can hone your craft! If it's full of abysmal errors, you can identify what makes them bad, as well as looking at the intent behind them. I'm writing a short story for publication on my TH-cam channel and I'm missing dialogue and there is no scene-to-scene transitions. However, I know that when I tear into it, I will have a truly incredible final product.
Great video. Would you use save the cat as you are planning your novel before one word is written or wait till editing first draft? Xx
Great question! I do both. I plot the book before I write a single word, and then plot it AGAIN after I've written the first draft. My novels always change between the first and second drafts, and that's because I reoutline to make sure I'm on the right track.
Natalia Leigh thank you
How do you get proof copy?
Having finished my first novel last year I was very naive and took a friends 'advice' in editing it myself and after only 2 dafts I queried as many agencies as I could find (over 30). Not surprisingly I received as many rejections as I sent queries. Since then I have done a third and fourth draft and then had my novel professionally edited. I have learned how to write a much better synopsis and query letter. Is it worth resubmitting to some of those that originally rejected me stating that I have had the book heavily edited and that I am rebsubmitting?
I'll probably put my first draft on an e-reader because I have a limited budget right now so printing books is near impossible.
Well I usually write in a journal so
Not in less you go backwards for me I write my book by hand so I would be editing it on a computer
Hey Natalia... do we really need a publisher to print a novel? Can we self print a novel from home(if I can handle the marketing and outsource for cover design and proofreading) and sell the paperback (with ISBN) on Amazon and on offline bookstores? What are the pros and cons of doing that(self printing and selling it)? Can I sell those novels legally?
Arun Kumar she did a vide over self publishing
@@ashleyzakrzewski577 Thanks... can you please share the link? :)
This is really useful, but I don't see the value of reading through it and not fixing obvious errors if you come across them. This just means wasted time, and becoming too absorbed into the reading again so you cannot view the work objectively. I like to just dip into random scenes, and read them afresh, and fix the mistakes... but hey, I'm not published, so what do I know!
I suppose it depends on whether the changes you're making will be in a scene that makes the final cut. If you keep changing little errors before you've read all of it, you may waste time on something that will be left in a trash folder.
I’ve always got stuck editing cause I always thought editing was just changing the whole story
If both Harry Potter & Percy Jackson weren’t written by pansers, then clearly it’s not good to be one. Structure is everything. It blows my mind that some people just write one big mess and try to fix it later
How do you get a printed version? I last published in 2013 and back then you couldn't do that
I order proof copies via KDP. You can also get copies via Barnes and Noble and other presses as well.
How do u get a proof copy if you’ve hand wrote it?
You’d need to transfer it to a digital file, so, rewrite it onto a computer. Then you can print it out on to computer paper, or do some research and have a company print it for you in a “book format”. Again, I’m no expert (obviously), but I think she has other videos that go more in-depth into this process.
Right now i am procrasinating instead of making 1