THE DREADED PART: EDITING. 

ONE: First Drafts are acts of discovery, like searching for one particular star within the vastness of the universe. – Natasha Halester

2. The very worst mistake you could make when entering the first editing process of your drafted novel is to head straight on into it. Wait at least a month before you edit. 

3. A good novel shouldn’t be rushed, and you don’t want to be fixing countless plot holes in your second draft. Take your time to address them. 

4. *Bye, Bye Weak* Everything in you novel, from the story to the characters, must serve a purpose. If they don’t, then cut them. 

5. The function of the first draft is to help you figure out your story. The function of every draft after that is to figure out the most dramatic way to tell that story. – Darcy Pattison

6. This is the most important. You have to FINISH THE FIRST DRAFT. I know, it’s hard. You want to start over, scream, cry, and pout. But keep pushing! FINISH IT. You don’t have to have it all figured out to keep going. 

7. Rewrite the first page to hook your readers. Now that you’re finished, you have a better idea of what your story is really about. 

8. READ IT OUT LOUD. Trust me. 

9. Don’t be afraid to cut parts of your book that aren’t working and start afresh- maybe the cut pieces was vital preparation for something much better. -Now Novel

10. Try not to become and alcoholic.