Ready, Set-... Go?

Imagine you have written something, and you think it's pretty neat. :D
What is the next step you take?


Right, you think again.
Because now is where the real work on your draft starts. You will want your writing at your best, won't you? And only the sky is the limit. Therefore there are a few steps you have to take now before you can publish your work; for this is where you polish and polish and polish the raw gem you created until it's so shiny it annoys you.


First you edit yourself; so read your story again. Probably you'll be able to catch some typos and other errors you've missed when writing. This process takes a good eye and patience because spellcheck doesn't get all the mistakes you might have made.


Then you reach out for well meaning beta readers; your friends, your family, your colleagues - whoever is willing to read what your brain spewed out. While they are reading your work for coherency, comprehension and whatever mistakes you have missed during your first round of editing (because there will be some left) you have the time to start over with step one again.
This might sound tedious, which it is, but you will see you will find other things you have overlooked the first time.


Once these beta readers return their results, take a closer look at their comments. What did they find good, what did they find confusing? What are their impressions and associations? Are there plotholes? Don't feel beaten down or ignore them so easily. Because they want to help you; they are your friends and family.


Based on their find you can now improve your work. Make amends where necessary or decide on a rewrite alltogether depending on the gravity of what needs to be done. This decision might be hard, but it'll be worth it. Make our story shine!


Now the process starts over again, this time with beta readers and editors you're not personally close - ideally they are people who also write; they won't spare your feelings or gloze over then. Which is a good thing. You'll get honest responses, and good input. On which you can again base your amends when they are done.


In the meantime you let your story sit for a while; do something completely different, tend to other WIPs or take a break from writing or whatever. The goal is to forget about what you have written there, so you can start fresh when you resume editing one or two months later. Because then you will see your story with different eyes.


But the opera isn't over until the fat lady sings.
Editing is repetitive and takes a lot of time. By the end of it you will have read and edited your story so often you might get fed up with it. It might be frustrating and nerve wrecking, but don't loose heart. Finally you will have your manuscript ready for publishing - regardless of which way you want to go about it, traditionally or DIY.


And don't forget about those who helped and supported you in the process; because they also made your book possible. Maybe a small note in your acknowledgements will be enough? ;)