Shannon Dittemore is the author of the Angel Eyes trilogy. She has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. For more about Shan, check out her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Both Steph and Jill mentioned it on the blog and I’ve plastered it all over social media, but in case you happened to miss it, I FINISHED MY BOOK!
Well. Sort of. I mean, before we went to Tahoe I had drafted and edited everything but the climax and the denouement (which, by the way, isn’t pronounced the way you think it is). But while we were away, I was able to finish it off. But the end isn’t always the end. And with National Novel Writing Month fast approaching, I thought it’d be wise to mention that drafted novels are not finished novels.
They must be edited as brutally as you possibly can and they must be polished. Once I finished those final scenes, I made myself a Punch List. A To Do List. A These-Things-Must-Be-Done-Before-I-Send-It-To-My-Agent list. It looks a little like this.
Let me explain:
1. Timeline: I need to verify that I don’t have any timeline issues. In other words, I need to make sure everyone can feasibly be where I need them to be when I need them there. I added several scenes in the editing process and I need to double check all my characters whereabouts. I also check for bloopers at this stage. If a character’s wearing blue flip flops in one paragraph, she probably shouldn’t have orange ones on in the next. Unless that’s a plot point, of course.
2. Notes Review: On my last pass through the manuscript, I made notes. I have two pages of questions I need to answer and those adjustments need to be made in the manuscript.
3. Chapter length and endings: I have a few long chapters and some may need to be broken up. At this stage, I also want to be sure my chapter endings are compelling. We all want readers to keep flipping pages and this is the place where that battle is won.
4. Formatting: There is a way manuscripts are supposed to be formatted and sometimes editors and agents have their own requirements. Don’t get fancy here, friends. Play by the rules. I always make sure my baby looks bright and shiny and just as Holly (my agent) expects it to look.
5. Research Questions: I screwed this one up on my list up there, but before I can do my final read through, I must get some questions answered and I’ve recruited a few experts to help. A physician’s assistant has offered to answer some questions for me and very soon I’ll drop him a message. I also have a lovely friend who’s had two heart transplants. TWO! We’re going to have coffee and I’m going to take advantage of her experience and her knowledge on the subject. Might be my favorite task on this list of to-dos!
6. Final read through: While I call this my final read through, it’s possible I’ll read my manuscript once more. Depends entirely on step number 7.
7. Beta Readers: After I’ve done everything to this baby that I can possibly think to do, I’ll send it off to my beta readers and I’ll cross all my arms and legs and pray they love it. But, I’m also hoping they’ll catch my mistakes and inconsistencies. And when they do, I’ll have another opportunity to make changes before I . . .