I don't write many older characters. I suppose age - as with most things - is relative in fiction. When I began writing The Watcher's Heir (my will-be-finished-one-day high fantasy epic), I was still at school and my hero began the story aged 25, an age I could not imagine ever reaching but an age I thought would still be considered young by many. If I ever manage to finish and edit that story, I'll be extending his - and a few others' - age! Having grown older, I've realised the advantages and the benefits of age. Of course, it's a bit of a disappointment that I'm never asked for ID in the shop anymore, or that people assume I'm my younger sisters' mother(!). But, on the whole, the pros have far outweighed the cons. The biggest con in terms of writing, is that it's difficult not to put an old head on young shoulders. Looking through books - both my own and those written by other people - it is clear just how easy it is to slip into the "ol...
Saturday 30th November - What Next?
Wow! We've made it to the end of NaNoWriMo. If you managed your 50,000 words: Congratulations! If you managed to get off the starting block: Congratulations! Whatever anyone tells you, there is nothing easy about writing a book. Even when you enjoy it, it's still hard work.
So, what happens next? Here's what Crowvus suggests:
Wow! We've made it to the end of NaNoWriMo. If you managed your 50,000 words: Congratulations! If you managed to get off the starting block: Congratulations! Whatever anyone tells you, there is nothing easy about writing a book. Even when you enjoy it, it's still hard work.
So, what happens next? Here's what Crowvus suggests:
- Have a party - you've deserved it! And, by the way, a party only needs to have as few or as many people as you want. My favourite parties have been family affairs. It's important to be proud of yourself, and to celebrate your success.
- Revisit your novel - I suggest you re-read the whole thing. Pick up and iron out any continuity issues and correct any typos you spot, but don't go through looking for them. Proofreading comes later.
- Find your First Reader - for advice on this you can read our Day 15 blog.
- Rerevisit your novel - decide which of the First Reader's comments you want to build on and make these changes.
- Proofreading - you can choose whether to employ someone or find a friend, but proofreading should not be done by yourself or your First Reader. You need someone who is not familiar with your writing and story.
- Rererevisit your novel - no need to add or change anything other than any issues your proofreader highlighted. Some proofreaders will make these changes for you.
- Editing - for advice on this you can read our Day 10 blog. This stage takes time, and will probably take a lot of to-ing and fro-ing for your manuscript.
- Rerererevisit your novel - this is your novel's final visit before handing it over.
- Decide your publishing route - whether through a publisher or self-publishing, your book is now ready to go "Out There".
On behalf of Crowvus, Congratulations!
If you're looking to take the next step, we'd love to hear from you. We have a one-off offer available through our Crowdfunding rewards offering critiques, graphics, illustrations, and a complete manuscript edit (up to 100,000 words).
Thanks for sharing NaNoWriMo with us!
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