Tags:
  1. Mark R

    Mark R New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2009
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Darlington, UK

    First and Second Drafts

    Discussion in 'Revision and Editing' started by Mark R, Oct 8, 2009.

    So, I finished a novel first draft some months ago, and I've decided to start going over it.

    I'm actually quite shocked at the standard of the writing... I thought it was far better than it is. Looks like it'll be a big rewrite job.

    Anyway, question of the thread is, do you find there's a gulf between first draft and later versions of your novel? Or does the final version end up very similar with only a few tweaks?
     
  2. arron89

    arron89 Banned

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2008
    Messages:
    2,442
    Likes Received:
    93
    Location:
    Auckland
    All the things I've redrafted have ended up vastly different from the first draft. Whenever I write, the first draft is dull, uninspired, styleless ad totally unpublishable. Its the very basics of the story....the plot, the skeletons of characters, suggestions of what kind of style might work....then on subsequent rewrites I focus on one thing at a time....characterisation in one rewrite, tightening the plot in another, and finally (the really big, most important one) rewriting for style.
     
  3. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    the more you write, the smaller should be the gap...
     
  4. Exactly the same with me. People always ask whether they need to know exactly where they want to go with their novel. Well, after your first draft you should, at least. The first draft speaks for itself; it's just a crappy version of your final draft. Fix it up, manipulate it, fix your grammar, watch for flow, etc, and you have yourself a second draft. After that... you might just have to do it again...
     
  5. SayWhatNow?

    SayWhatNow? New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    My own little world
    This happens to me alot.

    Its a pain, but you gotta read your whole novel and edit things, probably re-writing it totally.

    As said before, you will get a smaller gap in between though.
     
  6. Dcoin

    Dcoin New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    NYC
    I find, I rarely change the themes within the story.

    The words however, almost always look different between drafts.
     
  7. Cheeno

    Cheeno Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2008
    Messages:
    594
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    Ireland
    For me, after the first draft, it's about layering and refining, always conscious not to detrimentally affect positive aspects.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice