How do I start a second draft. . .

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I need HELP!

I've got 2 stories done. One is 50,000 plus words, the other is its sequel of 30,000 +. I'd like to have them published when they are ready. Probably as a 2 book in one book package, but that is so far into the future I'm not worrying about that right now.

What I need help on is, how do I start a second draft? I've always written my work from the top of my head, gone back and edited for grammer and rarely have to add anything to it. But since I want to see these between the pages of a paperback publisher, I want to do it right.

I look at this work and I know it is a good story and I really think many would enjoy it. It is erotica with BDSM, murder and mayham... etc... The year is 1600's in Scotland. I've researched Kelso Abbey, Jedburgh Scotland, Coldstream and Burnmouth. So I am working with historial facts and fictionous characters.

I just don't know how to start on a second draft. Do I just start over on the story? Write in things on the first draft I think need more detail, or less? Where do I begin?

If you have answers, suggestions or would like to share what you do once you have your first draft done, please post and let me know.

Thanks,

Red

 

[Aurora Black]

After I finish the first draft of a story, I go over it a few days later and add, delete or change details as needed. I even add extra paragraphs and scenes if I feel that the story needs them. Of course, I make sure to save the old draft under another name just in case I need it.

Congrats, by the way!

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

After I finish the first draft of a story, I go over it a few days later and add, delete or change details as needed. I even add extra paragraphs and scenes if I feel that the story needs them. Of course, I make sure to save the old draft under another name just in case I need it.

Congrats, by the way!

Thanks for the Congrats and for your post. I wrote both of these months ago and several folks have read by stories and their response was very promising. But I know there are other things I have to do to polish them, it just seems so overwhelming to look at it and not panic. Once both are done, another sequel will follow that focuses on other characters that were introduced in the 2nd book. I'm just so excited about it, I don't want to screw up.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Once upon a time...

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Once upon a time...

Thanks dear. "It was a dark and story night..." *sigh* NEXT

 

[FallingToFly]

I need HELP!

I've got 2 stories done. One is 50,000 plus words, the other is its sequel of 30,000 +. I'd like to have them published when they are ready. Probably as a 2 book in one book package, but that is so far into the future I'm not worrying about that right now.

What I need help on is, how do I start a second draft? I've always written my work from the top of my head, gone back and edited for grammer and rarely have to add anything to it. But since I want to see these between the pages of a paperback publisher, I want to do it right.

I look at this work and I know it is a good story and I really think many would enjoy it. It is erotica with BDSM, murder and mayham... etc... The year is 1600's in Scotland. I've researched Kelso Abbey, Jedburgh Scotland, Coldstream and Burnmouth. So I am working with historial facts and fictionous characters.

I just don't know how to start on a second draft. Do I just start over on the story? Write in things on the first draft I think need more detail, or less? Where do I begin?

If you have answers, suggestions or would like to share what you do once you have your first draft done, please post and let me know.

Thanks,

Red

Go to Edit.
Select all
Copy
Open New file
Paste.
Title it- Title2ndDraft
Save.

Keep the old draft incase you need it later- and then you can pick and pull the 2nd copy apart and rebuild it as many times as you need to.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Go to Edit.
Select all
Copy
Open New file
Paste.
Title it- Title2ndDraft
Save.

Keep the old draft incase you need it later- and then you can pick and pull the 2nd copy apart and rebuild it as many times as you need to.

Thanks. I have it saved as well as a seperate file for the details of the timeline.

 

[Weird Harold]

What I need help on is, how do I start a second draft? I've always written my work from the top of my head, gone back and edited for grammer and rarely have to add anything to it.

Sounds to me like you've already done the second draft and are looking to start on a third draft.

If you're working in MS Word, you can just hit the "Save Version" button to establish a "restore point" you can go back to -- but it's easier (and doesnt add so much to your filesize) if you just save a backup copy of the story each time you make an editing/revising pass through it.

If you're serious about "making it better," or just concerned about finding every typo and grammar mistake, send it to eight or ten volunteer editors and average out their comments and suggestions.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Sounds to me like you've already done the second draft and are looking to start on a third draft.

If you're working in MS Word, you can just hit the "Save Version" button to establish a "restore point" you can go back to -- but it's easier (and doesnt add so much to your filesize) if you just save a backup copy of the story each time you make an editing/revising pass through it.

If you're serious about "making it better," or just concerned about finding every typo and grammar mistake, send it to eight or ten volunteer editors and average out their comments and suggestions.

Thank you. I will be doing that, finding editors willing to take a gander at such a large piece, when I'm ready. The biggest restructuring I'm trying to keep accurate is the amount of time it takes to travel from point A. to point B.

I am working in MS Word and had no idea there was a "Save Version" button. So I have learned something new. Thanks.