There are many types of editing and today we're discussing how the SPA Girls approach a second draft. Plus, we've produced a checklist, which is an amalgamation of all our processes.
First, we suggest you start with a break from the project altogether, and how long that is will depend on your timeline, so going forward factor this in.
Here's our checklist:
Does your story make sense?
Is there enough conflict?
Pacing is vital - Does it flow and read well? It is too slow or fast? Does the tension build?
Setting - Does it hit all the feels? Can I visualise it? Buildings, places, etc.
Characterisation - Are your characters consistent? Do they do what they are supposed to? Do the support cast do their job? Do the hero or heroine achieve growth in the book? Or reach the goal you originally set for them?
Description - are you recounting or summarising, or are you world building?
Hooks - Does each of the last lines in chapters make you want to read on?
Action - is it clear what the roles of your protagonists and antagonists are playing in your book?
Black moments - that moment when everything is changed and there is no going back.
Is it compelling, - or do the sentences run on, (overwriting) Does each scene move the book forward? Not all of them will be action-packed, but they must have a purpose.
Would you want to read this book again? Because if you don’t no one else will. Love your book!
There is so much more, so listen in to the podcast.
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