Every writer has heard that pesky phrase: "Is it done yet?" We can all admit that it's easy to keep tinkering with a manuscript forever, but at what point should you cross the finish line? Here are some steps to evaluate whether your 50,000 to 100,000 word manuscript is really ready for publication or not.
Step 1
The Planning Stage
Like a professional athlete who trains hard in order to finish a race strong, every author should plan in advance of writing. During that time, he should ask these critical questions:
- What does the protagonist want?
- What's at stake?
- What conflict or misbelief prevents the protagonist from achieving his or her goal?
- Does the conflict presented in the first chapter pose a real question?
- Is this question answered in the last chapter?
Once you can answer those key questions, you can begin to write a synopsis that flushes out the storyline chapter-by-chapter, scene-by-scene. Though the story make change as it goes through the writing process, the plot should not, making it easier to go from page one to "The End."
Step 2
From Draft to Draft | From Revision Stage to Revision Stage
In achieving completeness, you must trust your process of continued refinement—from draft to draft to draft, and from revision stage to revision stage. Your novel evolves as you continue to work on it, whether it's at a fast or slow pace. But as you work on subsequent drafts, the goal is to make the story clearer, the plot tighter, and your characters vividly human. When these elements are handled right to your satisfaction, your story is ready to be submitted to an editor to review, polish and publish.
Step 3
Too Much or Too Little
At some point in your last draft, you may encounter this problem: dealing with too much or too little! Meaning, you either have a fat cow or a lean cow. As you read what you think it's the final draft, you realize, as a reader, that it's just too much or too little. Either of those two problems, or even both of them in various parts—like too much description or not enough dialogue—if you're facing this problem, there's a question you should ask yourself: what is essential to the telling of your story?
If your story is bloated or anemic, your editor and early readers [friends and family] will let you know. But if you even suspect that's the case, if your intuition tells you to analyze the story again through the process of another draft, do it. Fix whatever problems. Because if it is a problem to you, the author, imagine what your readers will think!
Remember, stories, specially novels, have to be a quest, a labyrinth you want your readers to navigate through. But they should find their way by the end of the story. If they don't, then that's a sure sign that the story is not finished yet. It's hard to begin a novel, but it's even harder to finish one. No matter your approach or editing process, be the first reader of your novel. And listen carefully when you answer: is this DONE yet?
Keep on writing!