Great advice for those of us just finishing a first draft. And what better time, with Christmas almost here and our attention being needed elsewhere, to relax, have some fun and look forward to a first read-through in the New Year!
On November 30th, or thereabouts, Nanowrimoers typed ‘The End’. Whether you’re a Nano or not, the next thing you must do is put the manuscript away. Close the file, stow the notebooks, do a happy dance. Unless you have a deadline that demands you thrash it into shape straight away, don’t touch it for at least a month. At least.
Become a stranger to your story
We all know how we can read a page over and over and somehow miss the appalling typo in the first sentence. When we’re too tangled in a novel we see what we think is there – not what is actually on the pages.
To do useful revision work, you need to allow enough time for your novel to become unfamiliar – so that you’re no longer thinking like its writer, but as a reader.
Let the flavours marinate
Your manuscript needs to marinate…
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Wendy Unsworth 
Thanks for the reblog, Wendy!
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My pleasure – I think finishing a first draft just before Christmas must be an ideal time 😊
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A very informative post. Thanks for sharing!
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Yes, I enjoyed this too. A great excuse for a break from my WIP!
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Which Christmas… when has it had enough rest and how much is too much? 😨😱😲
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I guess the point is, when have you had enough rest! Personally,I will never have had enough so I’m going to leave mine only long enough for a Christmas break because I need to work, work, work. (But very much looking forward to the family Christmas) Best wishes to you. 😊
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And to you. Merry Christmas 🎉
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Thanks for following my Blog Wendy! You are greatly appreciated!
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My pleasure, Andy. I will look forward to reading your posts.
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