40. The Last Roundup
YOUR Novel! After all these weeks and months and maybe years of writing, it’s done. Except…
For one last rewrite. Really? Yep. Here we go.
1. Print a hard copy of your manuscript. You will catch errors on a hard copy that you miss when you’re reading YOUR Novel on a computer screen.
2. Find a short ruler, about 6 inches.
3. Start on your title page and go through your manuscript word by word, sentence by sentence. Setting the ruler under the line you’re editing will help your eyes stay on target. (It’s easy to skip over words we assume are there.)
4. Check for typos, grammatical errors and misspellings. Spellcheck doesn’t find them all.
5. Be sure your edit includes your headings, chapter numbers and page numbers.
6. Check for consistency in spelling, particularly in the names of minor characters. Be sure Mr. Smith doesn’t become Mr. Smyth halfway through.
7. If you plan to submit YOUR Novel to agents or editors, go back at the end of this rewrite and recheck your first chapter. That’s what agents and editors and contest judges will see. You want it word perfect.
8. Insert your corrections in the computer version of your manuscript.
9. Okay, now you’re done.
Congratulations! I’m so very proud of you and your accomplishment. No matter what happens from here on out with this manuscript, you have done something that most people never do. You’ve written a book. FANTASTIC!!! WOOHOO!!! HOORAY!!! CHEERIO!!!
Your Assignment for the week: complete your last edit.
Your last YOUR Novel assignment: Take yourself and your favorite person out for dinner and/or a movie and celebrate your accomplishment!!
Next week I’ll give you some blog sites that will guide you if you are interested in seeking commercial publication for YOUR Novel.
Blessings!
Sue