From First Draft to Final Manuscript: Crafting Your Story

Last week, we explored different approaches to writing your story — plotting versus pantsing. But whether you meticulously plotted every scene or let your story flow organically, you’ve now got a first draft.

And let me tell you something that every writer needs to hear: That messy first draft? It’s supposed to be messy.

Today, we’re going to talk about what happens after you type “The End” for the first time. Because that’s really just the beginning…

First things first: Step away from your manuscript. I know it’s hard. You’ve just poured your heart into this story, and you’re either riding high on accomplishment or drowning in doubt. Either way, you need distance.

I usually give myself at least two weeks before looking at the first draft again. This cooling-off period helps you see your work with fresh eyes.

When you return to your manuscript, read it straight through. Don’t edit yet! Just take notes about:

Before we dive into building your team, let’s clarify some terms that often confuse new authors:

Something new authors should know: While many readers volunteer their time, there’s a rising trend of alpha and beta readers expecting payment for their services. You can still find wonderful volunteers, but don’t be surprised if some request compensation.

I’m actually still in the process of assembling my perfect team of readers. It’s an ongoing journey! But here’s what you’ll need:

When I say “team,” don’t envision amassing a sports team. You can start with one alpha, one beta. Maybe, if they’re really valuable, these two will be all you need. If not, build to two or three of each. It’s okay to start small… just start somewhere.

Don’t try to fix everything at once. Instead, try breaking your revision into stages:

Give yourself deadlines, but be realistic. Rushing revisions is like serving a half-baked cake — nobody wins.

Here’s one of my most valuable revision techniques: Read your manuscript aloud. The actress in me gets into it — I read as if I’m performing each character, accents and all!

This technique helps you:

I’ll be honest — I read my first manuscript at least TWENTY times before publishing. (By the end, I had the thing memorized!) Each time through, I found something new to fix:

Here’s the truth: You’ll probably need multiple revision passes. It really is better to go over it more than once.

But if you’re looking for a more organized revision process, why not break them down into stages?

Each pass makes the manuscript stronger, but here’s the trick…

One of the hardest skills to learn is knowing when your manuscript is ready. Could you keep tweaking forever? Probably. Should you? Absolutely not.

Remember: You’re aiming for excellence, not perfection.

I finally had to tell myself, “That’s it! I’m done. I can’t keep editing this or I’ll never get it published.”

At some point, you have to let your story fly. When you’re making tiny changes that don’t significantly improve the story, it’s time to move forward.

Once you’ve polished your manuscript as much as you can, it’s time to think about professional editing.

Next week, we’ll dive into building your publishing team and finding the right editor(s) for your work.

Where are you in your revision journey? First draft? Fifth revision? And if you’re using alpha or beta readers, what’s been your experience? Share in the comments below!

Related Topics: manuscript revision, alpha readers, beta readers, ARC readers, street team, writing feedback, revision process, story editing, self-editing techniques, time management for writers, draft development

NOTICE: In the spirit of helping my fellow writer, I’m excited to announce the launch of my new Writer Resources section!

You’ll find the alpha and beta reader questionnaires we discussed today, along with other helpful tools for your writing journey.

Click here to check it out. I’ll be adding new resources regularly, so bookmark the page and check back often!