How to Do a Novel Rewrite

Just Published!

My daughter "won" NaNoWriMo this year and I am so proud of her. It is an achievement when a thirteen year old can complete a 30,000-word novel. Experiencing that euphoric feeling of completing your first novel is an experience like no other. I loved watching her excitement so much that I regretted telling her that her book was not quite ready to be published. Her surprise was a thing to remember, especially when she asked the hardest question, "What's a rewrite?"

When she asked, I paused a moment realizing that my answer could discourage her future writing. I pondered if I should go into the specifics of rewriting until I realized that she had confused editing with rewrites. It is a common mistake to confuse the correction of grammar, pace and wording with the polishing of story.

I pondered it for a minute before I advised, “Don’t worry about grammar during your first read. Now is the time to read what you've written and make changes that refine and improve your story."  The shock and perplexed look on her face made me laugh, since I have hounded her grammar for years, but she understood what I was trying to do when I gave her a short list of what a rewrite entails. It is like polishing a dull stone into a glowing diamond.

My Rewriting Process

1. Run the whole novel through a spell/grammar check. Fix the blatant errors so that it does not interrupt the flow of your reading. Remember this novel version is not perfect, but it will allow you to read the novel without the need to correct the misspelling of words and obvious grammar errors. Do not worry about passive phrases or sentences at this time.

2.  Read the novel from front to back completely. Think about it. This step is the hardest because you want to “fix” things right away! I sometimes walk away from the book for a month and return with a fresh perspective to do step three.

3. Re-read novel and mark areas there are issues, but finish a complete re-read before you start any rewriting. Take notes of areas in your novel that feel “wrong” or “weak” to you.  I use a highlighter in my software or on hard copy to address areas that need changes and make notes in the margins.

4.  Return and fix the parts of your novel where you found issues based upon your notes.

5.  Rerun the novel through a grammar check and fix any errors or passive sentences. I will talk about passive sentences next week.

6. Read your novel again from front to back and repeat steps 3-5 as needed until you feel your book is ready to be read by someone else.

Do not feel discouraged if your book is not perfect the first time!  It takes patience to create something for others to read and longer if you want to publish your work. Just remember writing is art and it takes time to create art!

Good Luck on your rewrites and feel free to contact me if you have any questions! 

A Short Story Outline

Last week, I discussed my writing process and I mentioned the importance of creating an outline for any writing project.  Many novice writers find outlining their stories difficult at first. However, with practice, it enhances a writer’s ability to tell their story.  

This online worksheet from Education.com is a perfect short story outline. 

The Writing Process

Most experienced writers develop a writing process. It is not something that happens quickly but through practice. My own process has helped me write for a number of years. I share it with you as a starting point to help you develop your own set of writing steps.

1. The Outline – I start with an outline when writing anything.  It is a road map of my ideas.  It also helps me keep on track when writing novels and it indicates where I may need to do research. I do not always stay on course with my outlines but they do help to keep me on track. 
2. Prewriting – This is where ideas are formed into sentences.  When doing a prewrite, I do not worry about grammar or sentence structure the goal is to get my ideas down in writing. This is where your blog, novel or paper is formed so do not read your content until you have exhausted your ideas.    
3. Rewrite – This is where you polish what you have written.  Sentences are restructured.  Descriptions of events and people are expanded.  Dialog is improved. Grammar is corrected.  This step often takes the longest because it where your final piece takes shape.  I have known novelists to stay on this step for years until they have felt their work was complete.  
4. Editing – This is the final phase and can take as long as a rewrite.  This is where the writer looks for grammatical errors, redundant wording, passive sentences and readability issues.  I recommend that you have at least one person read your final copy before the final step. Try to find a good editor to give you the honest feedback needed for revisions.
5. Publishing - Books have been written on this subject and I suggest you read at least one of these publications. Do not take the criticism of your work personally and reject is a part of the process.  

Finding Money to Write

The phrase “Starving Artist” exists for a reason and writer, like any other artist, will find period during their writing which are not financially rewarding.  That is the reality of it unless your art becomes famous.  Finding a grant or modern day “Patron of the Arts” becomes essential for survival.  One cannot be creative when worried about living expenses. 

Fortunately, thanks to the Internet, finding a patron has become easier through such sights as Kickstarter, which is a website where you can post your creative idea and get the funding you need to finish it. 

Kickstarter focuses on finding “Patrons” for creative ideas and ambitious endeavours. For example, Filmmakers may seek out investors for film ideas.  Writers interested in obtaining funding may post their projects, how much they need and select 1-90 day period in which to get funding.  Creativity in asking for funds attracts “Patrons” who then fund your project.  It is a challenge but well worth the effort. 

If the project does not reach its targeted amount by the set time, all financial support is cancelled and the project must restart again. If goal amounts are reached, the Patron's credit card is charged and the project is granted its funding minus a fee from Kickstarter.

Should Writers Write Free?

I received an email question the other day asking if writers should work free while gaining

experience. It is a common mistake.  Writing for websites that offer little in return for your efforts is a waste of time unless they offer editing services to improve your writing.  If you publish, you should be paid.

The only time you should not expect pay is when you donate it to a charity.

Certain online publishing companies take advantage of aspiring writers and bloggers. These companies use a writer's hard work for profit without compensating the novice writer.  Others “own” your content through wordy contracts.  Before joining such companies, always seek out online reviews of their business practices.  

My best advice, if you seek to write, is to consider starting your own online magazine business or blog. That way as you gain experience you will at least have a chance of getting compensation for your work through advertising revenue and online partnerships.