Well, maybe. But first...
OMG -- You finished your first draft!!!!!
Congratulations. It's a big achievement. Not many people can finish writing a novel.
Sit back and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. How do you feel? Acknowledge what shows up, whatever it is.
When I finished my first book, even though it was written out of order, I felt such a sense of accomplishment. I printed out the whole manuscript, some 300 pages. That thing was heavy. I handed it to my mom and said, "Mom, look what I did!"
She got it and I did too. It wasn't easy writing this book, but I did it!
And so did you!
I love printing out my completed manuscript and holding it in my hands, feeling the weight of it, the heft, the solidity, but then I groan.
I have to edit this thing and it's a mess.
Editing can be an overwhelming process. It can also be a step-by-step process day-by-day -- just the way you wrote your first draft.
Not going to lie -- Editing isn't easy.
Revising a manuscript, changing it, figuring out how to make it better: that's a big, complicated and challenging puzzle. But this next phase is also where you get to re-vision your story, deepen into your characters, and discover what it is you have written.
So if this is what you're up to and what you're yearning to do, I have some suggestions for you.
Number one, yes, I have a program: a group coaching program for dedicated novelists, a 12-month intensive where you get to both work at your own pace and get group support and accountability and have a tremendous amount of resources at your fingertips.
Once in the group coaching program, you have access to our two editing courses in our school, and if you want to jump ahead and start thinking about marketing and publishing, we have courses on those subjects too.
And if you need additional support, we often create customized resources just for you.
Plus, you get a free pass to our to our bi-annual 60-day novel course we run in the spring and in the fall, and any additional trainings we offer to the general public.
You also will have access to peer critique support, as well as receive editing from me and my co-teacher, my husband and thriller author, Ezra Barany.
If you decide to join us for this upcoming year, and you enroll now before Saturday, Dec. 14, you'll receive all the Early Bird Bonuses listed here, including a self-editing webinar just for the group in January, plus other goodies like a complimentary copy of Plan Your Novel Like A Pro and much more.
Go here to check out the bonuses:
And see all that the group has to offer.
If you feel like this program is right for you and you want to sign up soon, but you have some questions, schedule a 30-minute call with me where we can talk about if this program is the right fit for you.
Schedule your 30-minute chat here:
♥
Self-Editing At Your Pace
Maybe you're looking for something else.
You might want to jump directly into one of our editing classes. They're self paced.
You have lifetime access and I answer all questions posted in the school. Plus when you join, you get a monthly call with the student community, a Q&A and coaching call.
Our two self-paced editing courses:
The home study courses are not one and done, meaning when you invest in one, you get access to me -- I answer all your questions -- and you have access to a community of writers: the Fellowship of the Pen.
I also want to call your attention to a very robust and self paced class taught by my friend, author, and writing teacher, Bonnie Johnston, called Manuscript Magic.
I'm very impressed with all her offerings and find them really useful in improving my novels. I hope you will too.
Planning for 2020
Whatever your plans for your completed first draft, I recommend you rest and rejuvenate and think about your plans for the coming year. And especially celebrate your achievement.
One thing about being a writer, about being a novelist, is it's complex, involved, and never-ending.
Our job as a writer really never stops. We're always learning, growing, and figuring out ways to make our stories better. Personally, I really enjoy that process.
BOOK MARKETING AWESOME RESOURCE
Want to create your own courses?
If you also provide a service and are looking to create courses, check out my friend Nancy Giere's upcoming free training webinar. Here's what she has to say: (I'll attend!)
Would you like to move from one and done to one to many engagements?
Are you spinning your wheels trying to create interactive engaging online courses, workshops, and webinars that showcase your brilliance, bring your content to life and make your audience want more?
Would you like to learn the best kept secrets in course creation from a Fortune 500 learning and development consultant?
Isn’t it time you stopped struggling and learned the secrets of stellar course creation that will make your clients love you and set you apart from your competitors.
This is your opportunity to do something extraordinary.
In this session your learn how to:
- Increase your influence and expand your reach.
- Turn your expertise into interactive and engaging webinars, workshops or online courses that create lasting change.
- Leverage a Systematic repeatable course creation process.
SIGN UP HERE FOR NANCY'S FREE TRAINING WEBINAR:
http://nancygiere.com/cracking-the-course-creation-code-webinar/
PUBLISHING NEWS
Smashwords Launches Presales Option
from Publishers Weekly:
"Smashwords has developed a new tool that company founder Mark Coker hopes will redress what he sees as the imbalance that has developed between indie authors and publishers with some online retailers.
The new tool, Smashwords Presales, uses patent-pending technology to enable the creation, management, and merchandising of e-book presales."
-- I'll be testing this tool soon and will keep you posted.
