Fiction, from the First Draft Forward: The Next Step. Well, one of them.

Last week we touched on what I believe is the most serious condition that ails us as writers: procrastination. I bet some people thought I was going to say something like writer’s block. Being unable to think of what to write, or how to proceed with writing, is indeed a serious matter, but in order to discover that you suffer from writer’s block you have to have sat down and tried to write something. If you procrastinate, you don’t even get that far. See the difference? If you have a case of writer’s block, don’t despair. It means you are at least trying to get something done.

I promise I’ll touch on a few exercises that I use to break through the writer’s block during a later article, but this week, we’ll get to the core of what comes after finishing a manuscript. I did some digging to find opinions on what comes after typing that final word for a first draft. I read countless blogs from agents, editors, published writers of all genres (fiction and non-fiction alike) and found myself rather surprised at the proposed course of action. Actually, it’s more like inaction.

Wait.

That’s not an order, that’s the step: wait. The general consensus is to put the manuscript down and step away from it. Take a break. Cut the umbilical cord. You not only need to, you deserve it. You’ve done something many only dream of doing. Lots of people talk about writing books, but not many take the time and effort to see it through. Granted, the market seems to be saturated with people aspiring to be the next J.K. Rowling (myself included) but in comparison to the number of people that walk this planet, there aren’t that many of us. Once you’ve joined the club, you can relax for a minute. Cookies and punch are in the foyer.

One reason for the prescribed break is the same reason we need someone else to edit and critique our work: we’re too close to it. We can’t look at it with a fresh eye and see the homonyms we have scattered about, let alone massive plot holes. I know it’s hard—at least it was for me—but the best thing we can do with our work is set it in a desk drawer or lock it away in a folder on our computer. For how long? I’ve read that the break should last anywhere from two to six weeks.

Now, some might raise the point that published writers that they know—personally or otherwise—finish their first draft and turn around to start working on the second only a few days later. While this is often true, we have to understand that there is a big difference between their situation and ours: the word “published.” Traditionally, published writers have already sold their first manuscript, meaning that the circumstances on which this column focuses do not apply. Those writers have already polished their work enough to snag an agent, which is what we’re working towards, and we still have a lot to do. Not to mention a published writer has a deadline to meet, so they may not have the time to let their work settle.

I myself am going to try the longer end of the spectrum and leave SWAYED alone for a full six weeks. So far, I’m only one week into it. It drove me a little batty at first; I was dying to pull my first draft out and keep at it while the fire was still hot. In the end, I talked myself into doing what was right for my work instead of what seemed right for me. That is what is important in the end, right? Work we can be proud to label as ours. We have to get out of our own way sometimes. So I told myself to man-up a bit and put my toys away for a little while. Then the darnedest thing happened: I found out that the waiting thing is not so bad. In fact, I rather enjoy it. Why is that? Because I’m working on other ideas for books, and if you’re like me or many other writers, then you’ve got a ton of them just waiting to hit the page. While we let our first drafts settle wherever we’ve hidden them, this is the time to work on other projects. I am already halfway through another manuscript (at least I think it’s halfway; I won’t know until I finish it). But just because we pause one thing does not mean we have to stop writing entirely. I’m hoping to finish the first draft of my current work in progress, HERITAGE BLADE: AWAKENING, before my six weeks are up. This is one way to occupy that time.

Another way to keep busy is with writing groups. Next week’s article will cover finding the right group and what it means to be a part of one. You want a group that mirrors as much of what you’re trying to do with your work as possible. When you do find the right one, you can bring your first draft to them for critiques. I’ll be the first (though I’m probably the millionth) to say that having beta readers I trust and that I believe know their stuff is a good thing. Keep in mind, just because you take your first draft to a group does not mean you should start working on it before your break is over. I’m not working on SWAYED even though I’m presenting it to my group. I just go to the meetings, take notes, collect my marked-up copies and then store them away. When it’s time to start the second draft, I’ll pull them out and use them.

So, Step 1 after completing the first draft of a manuscript: celebrate! And then take a breather, anywhere from two to six weeks. There are plenty of things to do during that time, including the two options mentioned above. Whatever works for you is fine, so long as you take that break. You’re gonna need it.

“One of the great rules of art: do not linger.” André Gide

Happy writing!

L.L. McKinney is a freelance writer, a published poet and a playwright. As an active member of First Tuesdays and YA Lit Chat, she is currently seeking representation for her young adult paranormal urban fantasy, Swayed.