How Do You Know When You're Done Editing Your Novel?
Your Next Draft
Editing Considerations
Important considerations when editing a novel, including word count, character development, value shifts, and story elements.
Is your novel ready to publish? Here’s how to tell when you’re finally done editing.
One of the hardest parts of writing a book is knowing when to let go.
After all, you don’t want to write just any book. You want to write something amazing!
But at the same time, you could tinker with your manuscript forever, always finding something new to change. And if you’re always editing . . . well, you’ll never publish.
So how do you know when you’re done?
This question is really personal, and it differs from writer to writer and editor to editor. Your answer might be different from mine, and that’s okay!
In this episode, I’m going to share the strategies I use to help my clients know when their books are done.
You’ll learn:
- 9 questions to see whether your book is ready to publish (yes, I made a checklist!)
- The one MOST important factor that can help you decide
- Who has the final say over when your book is done (hint: it’s you!)
- What to do if you’re a perfectionist who struggles to let creative projects go (like me 🙋🏻♀️)
- And more!
Be sure to grab the checklist I created to help you determine when your book is ready to publish. Get the checklist here »
I also mention several other episodes of Your Next Draft that will help you further explore the nine questions I ask in this episode. Listen to those episodes at the links below.
Also, I'd love to know how YOU know when you're done! Head over to this post on Instagram or this post on Facebook and leave a comment to share.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Finished Book Checklist: alicesudlow.com/done-checklist
- Ep. 24: 5 Ways to Get Feedback on Your Writing for Free
- Ep. 21: How to Identify Your Protagonist's Want and Need (And Why Those Matter to Your Plot)
- Ep. 25: 4-Act Structure: The Simple Structure to Edit Your Novel (And Why 3 Acts Aren’t Enough)
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- “Art is never finished,
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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