If it was up to me, as a writer, I'd be stuck in revisions, obsessing over perfecting my novel. So last year I came up with a plan to write two novels in a year. The writing plan forces me to move on when I'm spending too much time in one section. Each month attacks a different step for each novel.
An explanation follows below, with a concise list afterward. While I am working on one step of novel 1, I am at a completely different spot with the novel 2. It doesn't matter how I divide my month. I might work for a week straight on novel 1, or alternate days. If I spend the first half of my month on only one novel, mid month I switch it up.
This way I am never bored, or driving myself nuts if I am sick of something.
1. & 2. Snowflake and outlining. I give myself a solid month to plan my novel. And even though it's a solid month, I'm also working on revisions for my second novel. I divide my time between the two. If I become tired of outlining, I have something else to break up the monotony.
3. While my other novel is out with beta readers, I have a month to write 50,000 words for the novel I just outlined. My own NaNo.
4,5,6 & 7. This step is filling in the gaps that my rough draft left. I read through the draft and compare to my outline. I expand scenes. I analyze the scenes to make sure they accomplish their goals.
8. I hate saving revisions until last. So I start tackling revisions as I go along. Alternating with months of analyzing my draft. I have my own personal list of revisions that I check off as I go.
9. I go back and compare everything to my notes again and expand descriptions, and even add scenes.
10. More revisions. Focusing on misused words and poor grammar.
11. Steps 4-7 again.
12. Finally time for beta readers! I give them a whole month with a very polished copy. I would hate to have them tripping over obvious typos.
13. Finish revisions list and work on suggestions from beta readers. Beta readers suggestions can be overwhelming so I allow a month to allow time to stew.
14. It's so important to edit your novel backward and even read it out loud. You will catch many mistakes.
15, 16, 17 & 18. This is the polishing. Sending to an editor. Type setting. You want to allow plenty of time for this if your editor doesn't have a fast turn around. My editor is usually done in two weeks, and I edit from her suggestions for about two weeks.
19, 20, 21 & 22. More polishing.
23. Publish. Allow a nice month to sit back and catch your breath. Implement promotion plan.
23. Publish. Allow a nice month to sit back and catch your breath. Implement promotion plan.
A Year’s Writing Plan at a Glance
1. Brainstorm with Snowflake and General Sketch.
2. Draft waypoints and outline.
3. Write rough draft.
4. Compare draft to outline and waypoints. Make adjustments to story arc.
5. Read through while scanning for mistakes and content.
6. Elaborate scene descriptions and emotions.
7. Analyze scenes for impact and importance.
8. Begin revisions list.
9. Repeat steps 4–7.
10. Continue revisions list.
11. Repeat 4–7.
12. Submit to beta readers. Let the novel rest.
13. Finish revisions list and beta readers’ suggestions.
14. Work through novel backward while line editing.
15. Send through a program such as ProWritingAid.
16. Read novel aloud or listen to novel aloud.
17. Send to editor. Make corrections.
18. Type set and format.
19. Read final version as a formatted PDF so it feels like a real book.
20. Order a proof copy. Proofread.
21. Create ebook files.
22. Scan through MOBI and EPUB files on an ereader with a brown or black background to check for formatting errors.
23. Publish and promote.
Month
|
Book 1
|
Book 2
|
December
|
1 & 2
|
11
|
January
|
3
|
12
|
February
|
4, 5, 6 & 7
|
13
|
March
|
8
|
14, 15 & 16
|
April
|
9
|
17, 18 & 19
|
May
|
10
|
20, 21, 22 & 23
|
June
|
11
|
1 & 2
|
July
|
12
|
3
|
August
|
13
|
4, 5, 6 & 7
|
September
|
14, 15 & 16
|
8
|
October
|
17, 18 & 19
|
9
|
November
|
20, 21, 22 & 23
|
10
|
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