Where Do I Go With My Mess of a Manuscript?

You did it! You wrote a draft of at least 50,000 words during NaNoWriMo. Or maybe you just finished a manuscript draft after writing every morning this year before going to work. Or you opened up the memoir file on your computer, which you haven't touched in years. Just reading through the manuscript, which seems like a mess to you, is overwhelming. You're close to the project, and you don't know what to do next. You want to send out a social media message that states you are done with writing and a total failure after spending all this time just reaching 50,000 words of total chaos.

So, what do you do?

First breathe and know you are  normal. Every writer feels this way, whether they spent an entire month cranking out the words for one manuscript or have several in the drawer and are thinking it's time to do something with them. It can be a case of being too close to a project, or you are at a different place with your writing than you were when you started the story. Whatever the reason, you can revise. You can turn your work into something you are proud of.  Here's one way:

1. If you just finished writing, set it aside for at least a few days.
2. Give yourself a pretty good chunk of time (a few hours if you can swing it) to start reading through the story like you would a published novel you purchased. I find printing it out helps--but for some writers, that isn't possible or that task is overwhelming in itself.
3. Grab one pencil and one notebook. Take notes while you are reading through the manuscript, focusing on things you are thinking while reading BUT don't try to fix anything--no line edits, etc.
4. As soon as you finish reading all the way through (even if it takes you a few sessions ), go for a walk, take a shower, do some yoga, clean the bathroom--do any activity, where you usually find yourself getting your best ideas. Hopefully, if you just finished reading and you are doing one of these non-writing activities, your brain will have time to digest your story and where you want to go next will kind of pop in your mind. Have that notebook ready!
5. If not, then read your notes over. Send chapter one to your critique group or a writing friend. Spend a couple days journaling your vision for the story. Try writing a book cover summary of the story. Hire an editor or writing coach to talk over your ideas. One of these activities, or a combination of a couple, will help you figure out where to go next.

The number one thing you should not do is give up. Not all stories are published, we know that. But every story does lead to one that is published and makes you a better writer. However, before you give up on the one in front of you, try some of these strategies above to figure out where to go next with your story.

Margo L. Dill is a writing coach, editor, freelance writer, and children's author in St. Louis, MO. She is currently offering a few editing and coaching packages and discounts on her website, which you can see here. Her next novel writing class begins January 5. To sign up, visit the classroom here. 

Photo at the top by Morton Skogly on Flickr.com