Finished!
The last page has been written and you about to write The End! Well done, it is such on achievement to finish it because so many start but far fewer ever finish. So, be happy and put it away. Just take some time to enjoy the feeling that you can now say, you’re a novelist.
I know it sounds strange and a lot of people will love to tell you you’re not a novelist unless you are published but this is total rot. You have worked hard and dedicated a lot of time to accomplish this so be proud.
Now leave the manuscript for at least a month so you can get some distance from it. It is like a child, hard to be impartial or critical about but it gets easier with some time apart. If you are lucky enough to have a good friend who will give you an HONEST opinion of your work and that they have the time to read it; then ask them if they are willing to do so. Make it clear you need feedback to help you edit it. I know from experience most will never get around to reading it or will say it is good but you need them to tell you what is good and what isn’t.
So be prepared to be disappointed but if they do read it and are honest there will be lots that needs working on. The most important questions you need answers for are; does the plot hang together, because if it doesn’t make sense you have a big problem. Are your main characters interesting and grow through their experiences in the novel? Are they believable and finally dialogue, is it stiff and unnatural or does the flow move easily between them?
More on feedback and editing in another blog.
The last page has been written and you about to write The End! Well done, it is such on achievement to finish it because so many start but far fewer ever finish. So, be happy and put it away. Just take some time to enjoy the feeling that you can now say, you’re a novelist.
I know it sounds strange and a lot of people will love to tell you you’re not a novelist unless you are published but this is total rot. You have worked hard and dedicated a lot of time to accomplish this so be proud.
Now leave the manuscript for at least a month so you can get some distance from it. It is like a child, hard to be impartial or critical about but it gets easier with some time apart. If you are lucky enough to have a good friend who will give you an HONEST opinion of your work and that they have the time to read it; then ask them if they are willing to do so. Make it clear you need feedback to help you edit it. I know from experience most will never get around to reading it or will say it is good but you need them to tell you what is good and what isn’t.
So be prepared to be disappointed but if they do read it and are honest there will be lots that needs working on. The most important questions you need answers for are; does the plot hang together, because if it doesn’t make sense you have a big problem. Are your main characters interesting and grow through their experiences in the novel? Are they believable and finally dialogue, is it stiff and unnatural or does the flow move easily between them?
More on feedback and editing in another blog.