The book is close, but I can’t tell what it needs.
You finished your book. I’m so proud of you.
If you haven’t patted yourself on the back yet, go ahead and do that now.
I’ll wait.
Maybe you shared it with readers and received mixed feedback or started to query agents, but keep getting rejected. Or maybe you haven’t even started yet because you are too busy revising. This isn’t the time to spiral.
You aren’t starting from nothing. You finished the book.
“Darling, nothing is final until you’re dead. And even then I’m sure God negotiates.”
If you are not a fan of the Drew Barrymore classic, Ever After, then the quote is lost on you. You’ll get used to my random movie quotes eventually. I promise.
My point is, if something isn’t working, it can be fixed.
A lot of writers end up here and wonder if they followed Alice down the rabbit hole.
The first draft is done, and you were sure the hardest part was over.
But, you missed the memo that revision is one of the nine circles of hell and are starting to doubt your sanity.
You have done amazing work, but there is more to do.
Fear not, Gentle Writer….
You aren’t alone.
You are in a hurry to get started with revisions. Or you are dreading going back to the beginning to start them.
Before you decide anything, take a moment and breathe. Give yourself permission to find your center before you take the next step.
If you need to put the book away for a while, don’t let anyone shame you for it. Don’t force it if you aren’t ready. Come back when your mind is prepared.
However, if your spirit is committed and your will is strong, take deep breaths and begin.
You know I’m not going to leave you hanging. Here are some ways to help you look at the book as the sum of all its parts.
Pick one section and write a few lines about its purpose in the book.
Choose a chapter that feels disconnected and study the chapter before and after it. How does this chapter connect them? If you removed it, would the story still work?
Practice writing the jacket copy for your book. Write what it is really about in 250 words or less.
Make a list of the ten main scenes in your book. Describe how each event helps cause the next event to happen.
Do not burn your manuscript.
I know it’s tempting, especially when you cannot figure out the final pieces.
It takes hard work to revise what isn’t working, cut what isn’t needed, and take what remains and turn it into something beautiful. This is about building you up and finding the inner-grit to finish the thing and send it out to agents.
If you have read your manuscript so many times, finding the matches sounds better each day, I help by stopping the fire before it starts.
The Big Picture Read and The Pitch Fatigue Plan take the weight off of your shoulders so you don’t set everything ablaze.
Learn more about them below.
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The Big Picture Read
A full developmental edit for writers who need a second set of eyes on their manuscript.
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The Pitch Fatigue Plan
An examination of the whole query package for those struggling with rejection anxiety.
Story Sidekick - Ongoing Coaching
Ongoing, monthly support for writers who want extra help as they work through revision.
This option is available only to writers who have already worked with me and is offered on a limited basis, depending on availability.