2)
Rewrites 
This is where I add new scenes and/or expand on existing scenes that need more emotion or conflict. I also look for any clichéd ideas and try and twist them into something fresh.
I’ve heard it said that the first few ideas that pop into your head are the same ones that’ll pop into most people’s heads when thinking on the same topic. You need to follow the Rule of 6 - push through to the sixth idea – to get something unique.
3)
Computer Read ThroughOnce I think al
l the structural revisions and rewrites are done, I’ll start from the beginning and read through on the computer. And I’ll do more of Step 1 and 2 if required, but mostly I’m smoothing in the new stuff. During this read through, I do probably read each chapter more than once as I’m smoothing, checking facts from other chapters etc.
I also cut anything that’s long winded or doesn’t move the story forward gets pruned. Here I’m usually cutting and trimming paragraphs.
4)
“Edits” DocumentAround here, I’ll start to tackle the Word document I’ve kept with bullet points of smaller things I need to fix. They’re usually simple – overused phrases or a factual problem to fix. Sometimes they’re longer as I might need to layer something into the story from start to finish.
5)
Send to CPs 
Usually at this point the manuscript is in pretty good form. It hasn’t been polished, but it’s decent enough to send to my CPs. I’m thankful I stumbled onto Rach and Emily on the boards at eHarlequin.com because I’m not sure what I did without them (-:
6)
PolishingWhile the girls are reading, I get to work polishing. Now I’m down to the finer details. I check for word overuse, adverb overuse, check my chapter starts/ends are good, that I don’t start paragraphs with the same word too many times, antecedents are correct, grammar, missed words, spelling etc.
And of course, there’s more of the cutting. If I can find a way to say the same thing with fewer words, I do it. Cut, cut, cut. Here I’m down to cutting and trimming sentences.
7)
Tweaks from CP suggestionsOnce the girls get back to me, I go through their critiques. First off, I may not agree with everything they suggest. As a writer, we know our stories better than anyone else and we need to make changes we think make our story better. That said, I find I get the biggest gut reactions to things I subconsciously knew weren’t working anyway and after a pout/eye roll/cuss, I get to work on fixing the problem.
Another thing to do is look beyond the statement to the actual cause. If I get a general comment that my CP can’t quite connect with my heroine, I look beyond that and think: have I made her too perfect or maybe she doesn’t have enough conflict/emotion or she’s not sympathetic enough?
My CP comments generally fall into a few categories:
•
Polishing items – missed words, bumpy sentences, grammar, spelling etc. These are easy to fix and a second set of eyes picks up many of the ones I’ve missed.
•
Things they like – particular scenes, emotion, conflict, characters etc. These comments are helpful as I know I’m on the right track here.
•
Things they don’t like – things that are off, don’t feel right, lack of or unclear motivation, things that don’t make sense. These might be harder to fix, but if your CPs trip up at these things, it’s likely a reader/agent/editor will as well.
8)
Kindle Read Through 
Once I’ve done all of the above, it’s time for the final read through. I find it best to change the reading method, because I’ve been staring at the computer for some time now and I’ve gone blind to many of the tiny errors hiding in my manuscript.
I send my story through to my Kindle (love my Kindle!!) But printing it out or using the Reading Layout feature in Word are good options too. On this read through, I’m down to the fine, fine detail. I’m usually still cutting bits here and there, but its words. I’m also spotting missed words, spelling and grammar.
9)
Finished!Finally, all done. Now I make sure my one page cover letter (including awesome blurb on my story) and synopsis (about 4 pages double spaced) are ready to go. Then I print it all out, put it in a Tyvek envelope (strong and durable) and ship that baby to NY.
I know the question I’d ask if I read the above – how long do the revisions take? I think it’s different for each book. If you have to do a lot of structural revisions or rewrites, it’s going to take longer.
Okay, I’m eager to hear how revisions work for other people. Anyone have any awesome tips that make revisions just that little bit easier?
