The book is better than that. I have read that it is much better and easier to fix a bad page rather than start with a blank one, and I agree with that.
After just four pages, my manuscript was covered in red marks (I may change colors to something a bit less depressing than red...like purple of green). Most of it is just minor changes to punch up the wording; to make things more clear; to make sure the story is being shown, not simply told. I wrote my first draft so quickly (29 days) that there are a lot of problems with my writing, because I didn't edit as I went.
This is just the beginning. I enjoyed editing more than I thought I would. I think it is much easier to do it on a printed manuscript than it would be on computer screen.
Here are some of the major things I am looking for on my first run through:
- Clear writing
- Making sure verbs are present tense
- Good dialogue mechanics (this needed a lot of work)
- Believable dialogue
- Strong voice both from characters and in narration
- Making sure I SHOW not tell.
This is so exciting Kyle. I love seeing people go after their dreams. You've inspired me :)
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