Revision and Self Editing for Publication

Book excerpt: Take your first draft from so-so to sold! You've finished the first draft of your novel--congratulations! Time to have a drink, sit back...and start revising. But the revision process doesn't have to be intimidating. Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, Second Edition gives you the tools and advice you need to transform your first draft into a finished manuscript that agents and editors will fight for. Inside you'll find: • Self-editing techniques for plot, structure, character, theme, voice, and more that can be applied as you're writing to reduce your revision workload. • Methods for fine-tuning your first draft into a tight, well-developed piece of literature. • The Ultimate Revision Checklist, which seamlessly guides you through the revision process, step by step. • New Chapter! Exercises and techniques for "deepening" your work to engage and excite readers like never before. Whether you're writing a novel currently or have finished the first draft, Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, Second Edition will give you the guidance you need to revise your manuscript into a novel ready to be sold.