The Second Draft

So I have finally finished a first draft of a book! My previous attempts fizzled out, or took far too long to write because I kept going days/weeks/months without putting anything down, but this time, the first draft is completed in just about a month.

So I guess I need to start the second draft soon, but I'm not quite sure how to start. I've read Stephen King's method for doing it (put the book down for six weeks, then read through it all at once and mark any needed changes in pen, then make them), but I'm wondering if other Tropers have other ideas.

Awesome! You could try soliciting for readers on Uncle Drunkie's thread (or here); it's always good to have a second pair of eyes look at it between drafts. Otherwise, 6 weeks sounds smart, and read something good in between as a palate cleanser. Just get it out of your head as thoroughly as you can.

edited 17th Aug '11 11:15:44 PM by jewelleddragon

I waited a bit and then started all over again, using the first draft as a guide. The first draft was a rough idea. The second draft was much more refined, but still pretty bland and boring. The third draft was just reading the second draft and making small changes. The fourth draft was the third draft including reader feedback. I wasn't satisfied with the fourth draft, so I started all over again. Story wise there won't be any major changes, but I want the scenes to flow better and be more action-y. Hopefully the sixth draft (the version I'm currently working on with reader feedback) will be the final version.

I think reading trough the whole story again and making the changes while a write a new version works the best for me. It's just that I'm too much of a perfectionist to finish anything.

Edit: I think that what I'm trying to say is: what works for me is making loads of versions, each better then those before it. I tend do do research between versions, think up new ideas and understand my characters more. I just can't write a story, go trough it once and call it a day.

edited 18th Aug '11 7:39:07 AM by iTeruri

Six weeks sounds too short. I tend to put things away for several years. In the meantime, I make flowcharts (or work on something else).

I'm working on my 2nd draft right now. What I'm doing is reoutlining the entire thing, using the rough draft as the framework, defining the characters, and basically writing.

I should've waited a little longer to jump back to it, but I didn't want to wait.

If you set things away for several years, you run the risk of forgetting things.

But you also get to look at things with a fresh eye. If everything really is written...

Jeweleddragon: Yep, I've definitely got some good books lined up in the interim. Carrie Vaughn's new collection of Kitty Norville short stories just came out, as did "A Tempering Of Men," the sequel to "A Companion To Wolves", which I loved. I also have Dream Of The Red Chamber. Those should last me a while, and should basically erase it from my head.

I don't think I could handle waiting several years (my personal goal, after writing it in a month, is to have the book completely done within 3 months of beginning), but I think waiting 5-6 weeks is doable.

I personaly do the Stephen King method, although I didn't know that was also how Stephen King did it. After I'm done with the first draft, look away for a month. Then go back with that metaphorical big red pen.

Metaphorical? I print mine out and actually go after them with a big red pen :P

I work on something unrelated. I also have two friends who play devil's advocate for me.

My big red pen is metaphorical because it's actually a Word document where I paste all the criticisms people give me, and also paste suspect or potentially unhelpful bits 'n' bobs both to consider them and so I'll have backups if I end up deciding not to cut them after all. But "big red pen" sounds cooler than "Extremely large Word document."