The novel process 1

May 20, 2025

I sat down at my computer desk this morning (well, almost not morning) and realized, I've attended a lot of lectures and read a lot of books on the process of producing a novel. Did I remember any of them? eh...

grayscale photo of a typewritten prayer — *Photo by Jimmy Chan on Pexels.com*

Which, despite the title, does not mean “step 1” but rather the first post on this topic. Hope your not disappointed. I’ll get to the other stuff as we go.

I sat down at my computer desk this morning (well, almost not morning) and realized, I’ve attended a lot of lectures and read a lot of books on the process of producing a novel. Did I remember any of them? eh…

So I had to look them up. According to Reedsy, an excellent resource for writers, BTW:

And that’s a good list. However, I would suggest moving things around a bit.

As you are editing your draft, and I wouldn’t wait till the 2nd or 22nd round of edits either, start when you are editing your 1st draft, get feedback from your peers. I would say always get feedback from your peers, but for many writers, getting critiqued while actually writing the first draft, the brainstorming on the page, the vomit the story, you know what I mean, isn’t the best time to get criticized.

After you have your basic story down, after you’ve written the first rough draft, after you’ve written THE END, EL FIN, HET EINDE, LA FIN and you have say 75% at least of your story on the typed page, then and only then, start getting feedback. However you want to do it, with friends, with actual writers, I would suggest actual writers at first, because their experience will carry more weight on your edits than readers who don’t write.

Do find writers who support you positively and give positive crits. That doesn’t mean they are yes-people. It means they can explain their comments in a positive way, not cutting your down when they tell you something needs to be fixed.

What I do is, while I’m editing, I’m also in 2 crit groups. I send a small chunk of my novel, in chapter order, and when I get their electronic feedback, as well as notes I’ve taken from our Zoom meetings, I combine them in Word into one file and put it in a big fat 3-ring binder.

Yes, I do my writing/editing/etc. in Scrivener, but I copy out the section I want critiqued and put it into a Word file for submitting to my groups. The thing is there, do NOT forget to apply any changes you might have made in your Word file to your Scrivener file. I’m a total scatterbrain and always have been. I have to force myself to be organized, especially for my stories. There have been times when I haven’t kept up with the changes and I made. (eyeroll at myself here). But it’s fixed easily by doing the Word’s “compare and combine” feature and then stick that back into Scrivener.

I’m at that stage where I’m zooming at a snail’s pace through edits. I’ve given myself a (soft) timeline of June 30th to complete edits, gather up the BETA reads, fix the BETA read comments if needed, and send out ARCs with a timeline of 2 weeks max. (if possible).

My goal here is to have a table at an upcoming writer’s convention–Texas Writers and Readers Con–in Irving, Texas July 19/20. My how we’ve grown! I started with them just a few years ago. Our vending area was a medium-sized hotel conference room with a few breakout panel sessions in an adjoining room. Now, look at us! Bigger and better each year. I’m really proud of all the people behind the scenes for this con.

So, anyway, mid-July, I’d like to be able to sell my book. That is, IF I get a vendor’s table. I had reserved one, then on some dull and dimwitted day, I canceled it (last year for 2025), thinking I’ll never get this book done in time. Well, darn it, I will! And now, I’m waiting … Like the old commercial for a department store, what was its name? the person is on the opposite side of the big glass doors saying, “Open, open, open” and their hands are opening and closing. That’s me now. Sigh.

OK. How often do you, as an author, not know the title to your manuscript by the time you finish your rough draft? I almost always know its title, sometimes before I even write it. In fact, most often. A title often gives me the idea for the story. Or some form of the title implies the title I end up with. This particular book, The Angel Project: Emergence, came with a title and initial idea together, like a packaged premise. You?

Now that I’m in edits, I’m pumping the peddle on getting my book cover updated (I added “emergence” to the title just a few months ago as I realized each book will need a special title. Is there a term for that?), my website updated, my newsletter in working order and start sending on a regular basis

(I, myself and I, rarely if ever read anyone else’s newsletter. Doesn’t matter how much I like the author and/or the book, I’ve just not the time or headspace for newsletters in general. However, some people seem to like them so… newsletter on a regular basis, not sure what that basis will be yet.).

Social media prepped and ongoing posts.

A publisher-ready book description (blurb, often like the thing that goes on the back of the book, however, there should be a logline, as well as a shorter like one paragraph description, then back-of-the-book blurb.)

Set a release date. If not now, then definitely earlier if you can. You can schedule promos much easier if you know a date. Schedule interviews. Podcast attendance. And so on.

As soon as you can, work on getting pre-oders! The ARCs will give you reviews to feed to your new readers. (ARCs are for people to read and give a response, yes, but also, reviews ASAP.

What is a BETA READER?

From Marie Anne Cope ‘s website: A BETA READER is….

The role of a beta reader is to read a pre-edit of a final book while it is still a work in progress and provide helpful insight on how important elements of the story such as characters, setting, and plot might be improved. They will also look at areas such as continuity and fact-checking. Beta readers offer valuable insight as to how a book is likely to come across to an average reader, and the author may make changes to the story based on the feedback received.

This does not mean send your book when you know you still need edits. One time, someone asked me to BETA read their novel and the grammar and such was so unreadable, I just couldn’t do it. Sure, you’ll have some booboos in there, but seriously, this read like a first draft! So, I explained my problem with reading the book, and gave a 3 page critique. I never heard back from them again, and that’s OK. It takes a lot to accept crits with emotions getting involved. The author was new, as we all are at one time (even me!), yet it was not in any way ready to read.

So, be sure your novel is prepped as good as you can get it before sending it out.

What is an ARC READER?

Again, using Cope’s website…

ARC stands for Advanced Review Copy. An ARC reader is a person who receives a pre-published copy of a book, usually after final editing. They enjoy access to the book before other readers get an opportunity to buy it.

ARC readers are also sometimes known as “early reviewers.” They are given a free copy of an upcoming book in exchange for leaving an honest book review on key sites such as Amazon or Goodreads) once the book is released.
Becoming an ARC reader is a great way to make sure you get the very first chance to read books in the genres you love – plus you’ll be helping an author to succeed and therefore playing a part in their success!

And all the while, behind the scenes (of others, not you), is the marketing. Not there yet. More on that later.

If anyone ever says something “is a process,” run away! LOL. Seriously, that’s soft code for “it’s a lot of freaking work!”

So, where are you on all this?

Pat

(comments welcome)