Perfect timing as I am in the revision process on the fifth and hopefully final draft of the novel, upmarket fiction, I've been working on for over two years. I've hit all of your steps along the way and now it's time to print it out, do my longhand margin edits and see on paper what I know I am probably blind to on the screen by now, despite two years of my critique group's steady and excellent editorial suggestions and a developmental editor's comprehensive report on draft 4 that I've been implementing. Could this cake be fully baked? I may know in a few more weeks after a discerning final beta reader, an author who is a friend but will tell it to me straight. Then, I think I just might dip my toes into querying agents. I took a hiatus years ago from trying to publish after querying my first novel, getting an agent, and then the agent not able to sell the book. But I'm back to it, because I don't know how not to be a writer in this world, a writer who wants readers. So happy for you, Laura, and grateful you are letting us peek behind the scenes of your debut life.
Good luck! You’ve done it! Get objective eyes on your query too, if you can. Keep me updated. My fingers are crossed for you, and remember it’s okay if it takes time!!!!
Laura! Your newsletter is a breath of fresh air. I open my email so fast when I see I have an update from you. I was in the querying trenches back in 2020 and nothing came of it, but I’m here, I’ve written another book since then, set it aside, and now onto a project that’s been niggling at me for months and months. I finally started outlining two weeks ago, and it feels hard. But I know I’ve done it before. I’ve been here before and I got. To. The. End. And into agents’ inboxes. It’s doable, it’s mighty hard, but it’s doable, and your newsletter just makes me want to kick the air and write.
Congrats! Thanks for sharing a part of your journey.
While writing my first draft I would not even look at another author's book in fear it would alter my voice. I spent last evening at my local bookstore, reviewing books, trying to find those comps and the authors who speak to me. It's not easy!
I’ve heard of people doing this! Not reading fiction while they’re writing. But for me, it’s one of the most important steps. I hope you find some good comps (do you listen to the shit about writing podcast? You could call into their comp question session! A bookseller offers ideas about comps—it’s fabulous)
I’m learning as I go and unfortunately I can be a hard learner. Recently, I started listening to books while I walk. Fresh air gives me a clear head and I need breaks from looking at screens. My aging eyes have trouble focusing on books!
I have listened to the shit about writing podcast. It’s well done and a great resource. Thanks for the suggestion I will delve deeper into the podcast and see what I can find out.🙃
I would like to recommend The Story Genius by Lisa Cron. It's great for first drafts and every draft and revision step in between, right through to the end. She teaches what brain science tells us about what hooks a reader, and how to keep them hooked and she spells it out in very practical exercises, with the writer and book coach Jennie Nash working out the steps right within the pages of the book, so you can see how the approach is applied in real time. It is really the best book on craft I've ever read and I've read a lot!
Thanks for the great tips and encouragement, Laura! And congrats on your achievement!! I'm at 30k words in my first novel -- for the second time. That is, I had reached 30k and then, somewhat painfully, pulled out a 10k section, and now the novel is back up and better. It sounds like you recommend using Save the Cat after the first draft is done. Is that right?
Oh I feel your pain! This is how I've done it! BUT I am about to try plotting ahead of drafting for the first time, so we'll see. I do think some level of experimentation is necessary, to find the best path for you. Good luck with revisions!!!!
Thanks for this great information on revision. I’m very close to finishing this draft of my memoir and querying. I recently dissected a novel for the structure and beats (I LOVE doing this!) and it gave me just the wide angle view I needed to see my story more clearly.
This newsletter/concept is so great and helpful, thank you. I came here through Caitlin K. :) I'm in the process of revising my manuscript. It's a young adult dark comedy, if Dr. Frankenstein was a 13-year-old girl. If this sounds interesting to anyone, I'd love to connect and swap notes.
Yes to Refuse to be Done, it is fantastic! Another option to consider if it's financially feasible is hiring a freelance developmental editor. I do this for a living, and I hired one for my own novel--and my editor really helped me see where the missing beats were in my manuscript, along with very useful suggestions for how to address them. But a really good beta reader can absolutely do this too if hiring someone is not within reach!
This is a great point. And a good topic for the newsletter-- maybe I can reach out to you for a quick informational interview when I get to that topic!?
Agree that the investment I made in the developmental editor was a game-changer for my current novel. She had the big-picture view that a writer being too close to the material (even a lifelong professional writer and editor like myself) was missing, like the beats. Good to know you do this editing work, too, Kristin, and congrats on your debut novel coming out soon!
Save the Cat was a God sent when I first found it! I’m also intrigued by the software.
Im sending my novel draft to my first beta reader on Friday (she is also my writing partner. Both of us writing our novels together) and Im thrilled to hand it off to someone else who can help me through some issues and questions!
I'm in the editing trenches RN. My editor is just like ADD MORE DESCRIPTION 🤣 and my grammar, especially around speech, isn't great. These comments always sting but they are all fixable.
Congratulations on your publishing milestone! A toast to you with my goblet of mead! Thank you for this excellent post with guidance around writing a novel. I am writing one that's set during the 4 days between the Winter Solstice and Christmas Day. Have LOTS of tension to write in!
Congratulations on your milestone, Laura, and thank you for this guidance. I am writing a fantasy that takes place around the Winter holidays (Solstice/Christmas). Have LOTS of work to add tension "beats" etc.
4 cover options to choose from!! This is so exciting! I've never heard of Save The Cat 🐈⬛ I'm definitely going to check it out this weekend. Thank you Laura xx
Wow, that is an impressive spreadsheet (and actually an amazing idea - since starting novel writing I am constantly asking myself while reading 'How did they do that?!'). I loved Refuse to Be Done - the kindest, most helpful, most energising book on writing I've come across. When I first came across Save The Cat I struggled as I found myself going down rabbit holes on 'beats' and getting a little paralysed, but maybe now that I'm at the editing stage it's a better time to revisit it. Thank you!
Right? Francesca is a genius. We spend a lot of time talking about books we've read and pulling them apart to see "how they did that"--- it's actually fun and so so helpful when you're wondering why your own ms isn't doing that (yet). It really really helped me.
Perfect timing as I am in the revision process on the fifth and hopefully final draft of the novel, upmarket fiction, I've been working on for over two years. I've hit all of your steps along the way and now it's time to print it out, do my longhand margin edits and see on paper what I know I am probably blind to on the screen by now, despite two years of my critique group's steady and excellent editorial suggestions and a developmental editor's comprehensive report on draft 4 that I've been implementing. Could this cake be fully baked? I may know in a few more weeks after a discerning final beta reader, an author who is a friend but will tell it to me straight. Then, I think I just might dip my toes into querying agents. I took a hiatus years ago from trying to publish after querying my first novel, getting an agent, and then the agent not able to sell the book. But I'm back to it, because I don't know how not to be a writer in this world, a writer who wants readers. So happy for you, Laura, and grateful you are letting us peek behind the scenes of your debut life.
Just wanted to say, Amy, that it sounds to me like you are doing everything right, and best of luck!
Thank you Kristen, appreciate it, and I look forward to reading your new novel. How can I pre-order, if possible?
You're so kind! It's not available yet but I'll add a comment here (if that's ok, Laura) when it is.
Of course!!! Let me know!
Good luck! You’ve done it! Get objective eyes on your query too, if you can. Keep me updated. My fingers are crossed for you, and remember it’s okay if it takes time!!!!
Laura! Your newsletter is a breath of fresh air. I open my email so fast when I see I have an update from you. I was in the querying trenches back in 2020 and nothing came of it, but I’m here, I’ve written another book since then, set it aside, and now onto a project that’s been niggling at me for months and months. I finally started outlining two weeks ago, and it feels hard. But I know I’ve done it before. I’ve been here before and I got. To. The. End. And into agents’ inboxes. It’s doable, it’s mighty hard, but it’s doable, and your newsletter just makes me want to kick the air and write.
I LOVE this comment! Thank you so much ! You can definitely do it. And you can go back to the first manuscript after this one! Nothing is lost.
Congrats! Thanks for sharing a part of your journey.
While writing my first draft I would not even look at another author's book in fear it would alter my voice. I spent last evening at my local bookstore, reviewing books, trying to find those comps and the authors who speak to me. It's not easy!
I’ve heard of people doing this! Not reading fiction while they’re writing. But for me, it’s one of the most important steps. I hope you find some good comps (do you listen to the shit about writing podcast? You could call into their comp question session! A bookseller offers ideas about comps—it’s fabulous)
Forgot to mention yesterday I listened to the sample of Save the Cat. Now it’s on my list of books to buy!
I’m learning as I go and unfortunately I can be a hard learner. Recently, I started listening to books while I walk. Fresh air gives me a clear head and I need breaks from looking at screens. My aging eyes have trouble focusing on books!
I have listened to the shit about writing podcast. It’s well done and a great resource. Thanks for the suggestion I will delve deeper into the podcast and see what I can find out.🙃
Great idea! Will check it out
I would like to recommend The Story Genius by Lisa Cron. It's great for first drafts and every draft and revision step in between, right through to the end. She teaches what brain science tells us about what hooks a reader, and how to keep them hooked and she spells it out in very practical exercises, with the writer and book coach Jennie Nash working out the steps right within the pages of the book, so you can see how the approach is applied in real time. It is really the best book on craft I've ever read and I've read a lot!
Thank you! Yes these are fabulous recs!!!
Thanks for the great tips and encouragement, Laura! And congrats on your achievement!! I'm at 30k words in my first novel -- for the second time. That is, I had reached 30k and then, somewhat painfully, pulled out a 10k section, and now the novel is back up and better. It sounds like you recommend using Save the Cat after the first draft is done. Is that right?
Oh I feel your pain! This is how I've done it! BUT I am about to try plotting ahead of drafting for the first time, so we'll see. I do think some level of experimentation is necessary, to find the best path for you. Good luck with revisions!!!!
Thanks for this great information on revision. I’m very close to finishing this draft of my memoir and querying. I recently dissected a novel for the structure and beats (I LOVE doing this!) and it gave me just the wide angle view I needed to see my story more clearly.
And I love CeCe and can’t wait to read your book!
I love CeCe too! Thank you!
This newsletter/concept is so great and helpful, thank you. I came here through Caitlin K. :) I'm in the process of revising my manuscript. It's a young adult dark comedy, if Dr. Frankenstein was a 13-year-old girl. If this sounds interesting to anyone, I'd love to connect and swap notes.
Caitlin is the best! I'm obsessed with your premise!
HI ALI!!!
I'll think about if I know anyone else doing YA or something similar in tone, that premise is 💯💯💯
Thank you!
Yes to Refuse to be Done, it is fantastic! Another option to consider if it's financially feasible is hiring a freelance developmental editor. I do this for a living, and I hired one for my own novel--and my editor really helped me see where the missing beats were in my manuscript, along with very useful suggestions for how to address them. But a really good beta reader can absolutely do this too if hiring someone is not within reach!
This is a great point. And a good topic for the newsletter-- maybe I can reach out to you for a quick informational interview when I get to that topic!?
Of course, I’d love that!
Agree that the investment I made in the developmental editor was a game-changer for my current novel. She had the big-picture view that a writer being too close to the material (even a lifelong professional writer and editor like myself) was missing, like the beats. Good to know you do this editing work, too, Kristin, and congrats on your debut novel coming out soon!
Save the Cat was a God sent when I first found it! I’m also intrigued by the software.
Im sending my novel draft to my first beta reader on Friday (she is also my writing partner. Both of us writing our novels together) and Im thrilled to hand it off to someone else who can help me through some issues and questions!
It’s such a good feeling to send it out to someone you trust, bc you know it’s about to come to life. I will let you know about the software!!!
Love this! Bookmarking for when I finally hit my own 90K on a current project.
I'm in the editing trenches RN. My editor is just like ADD MORE DESCRIPTION 🤣 and my grammar, especially around speech, isn't great. These comments always sting but they are all fixable.
I love when comments ask for MORE!
At least I know what to do 🤣
Congratulations on your publishing milestone! A toast to you with my goblet of mead! Thank you for this excellent post with guidance around writing a novel. I am writing one that's set during the 4 days between the Winter Solstice and Christmas Day. Have LOTS of tension to write in!
Oooohh it sounds dark and cozy
Congratulations on your milestone, Laura, and thank you for this guidance. I am writing a fantasy that takes place around the Winter holidays (Solstice/Christmas). Have LOTS of work to add tension "beats" etc.
4 cover options to choose from!! This is so exciting! I've never heard of Save The Cat 🐈⬛ I'm definitely going to check it out this weekend. Thank you Laura xx
thank you, Bella! I hope it works for you !!!
Wow, that is an impressive spreadsheet (and actually an amazing idea - since starting novel writing I am constantly asking myself while reading 'How did they do that?!'). I loved Refuse to Be Done - the kindest, most helpful, most energising book on writing I've come across. When I first came across Save The Cat I struggled as I found myself going down rabbit holes on 'beats' and getting a little paralysed, but maybe now that I'm at the editing stage it's a better time to revisit it. Thank you!
Right? Francesca is a genius. We spend a lot of time talking about books we've read and pulling them apart to see "how they did that"--- it's actually fun and so so helpful when you're wondering why your own ms isn't doing that (yet). It really really helped me.
Thank you for the editing book recs too