It’s time to rewrite your novel. In a recent writers’ group meeting, we discussed the benefits and perils of rewriting.
Many authors enjoy their rewrites, because the hard work is done. They know they have a story, they just need shape it into the perfect reader-worthy novel for their genre.
That said, rewriting can be scary, especially if you’ve never done it before. You’re taking your novel apart: you’re reshaping it.
Firstly, what’s “rewriting”? Is it another word for “editing”?
Basically, rewriting is writing your novel again. You’re rethinking your story. Perhaps you’re:
Changing the genre: turning a romance into a mystery;
Telling the story from another point of view;
Increasing the stakes for the main character: your novel, as written, lacks suspense.
Editing, on the other hand, is polishing—working with your words. You may delete and add scenes, but you’ve created the basic shape of your novel.
… avoiding lumps and bumps which stop the reader. It’s vital to avoid bumps on a micro level, when the reader has a “huh?” moment because he can’t figure out what you meant by a sentence, or on a macro level, when the reader stops reading because he’s bored.
If you’re a pantser, rather than an author who outlines, you may want to do a rewrite. It’s hard (almost impossible) to write a wonderful novel from go to whoa. A rewrite is a pantser’s chance to retell your story, in the most exciting and suspenseful way possible.
Rewrite your novel: start today (you can do it)
If you’re a new author, chances are that you’re hesitating. Do you really NEED to rewrite your novel?
If you’re unsure, ask someone to read your novel. Not necessarily an author, or an editor (editors aren’t much help with a very early draft) but a keen reader of your genre.
Let’s look at three steps to rewrite your novel.
1. When you rewrite your novel, find the story question first
What’s your story question (sometimes called the dramatic question)?
When you want to rewrite your novel, finding the story question is your first and most vital task.
The story question is the beating heart of your fiction.
It keeps readers reading. Readers know how important his goal is to your main character, so they want to know whether he’ll win through.
As an author, you know that your novel needs a point—a story question—but it’s easy to get so involved with writing, writing, writing, that your story wanders off.
Your story question is the primary way you add drama to your fiction. Your characters must want something. Whether they get it or not is the story question.
So, what does your main character WANT?
In rewriting, your primary goal will be to ensure that that’s plain to readers.
2. Do a reverse outline (keep it brief)
Once you’ve found your story question, create a reverse outline, so that you can see the shape of your draft.
Wondering what a “reverse outline” might be? When you write a novel, you may create an outline. After you’ve completed a first draft, you should outline what you have—that’s your “reverse outline.” It helps you to sort out scenes from narrative, as well as look at your plot and character arcs.
A Regency time travel romance... What if you could escape across time, and find your soulmate?
Pure evil dispatches gorgeous Tara Ballantine across the centuries, to Regency England. Tara lands on Adam Jervoise, Earl of Hillingworth -- literally -- as he's riding through a bluebell wood.
Hillingworth is handsome, rich, and kind. He's also set to propose to an heiress.
When Tara realizes that she's falling in love with the earl, she fights the feeling.
