You have finally finished writing your first draft. You celebrate, but not for long. Because what waits for you is a question no one has prepared you for: Now what? 

If you are staring at your manuscript, wondering what to do next, it might feel like you are stuck. Trust me, you are not. Let’s break down all you need to do after you are done with your first draft. 

You Have A Story; Editing Will Turn It Into A Novel

Writing a first draft is all about pouring your imagination onto the paper. Editing is where the magic happens. However, the biggest mistake fantasy writers make is jumping straight into the editing process, with no roadmap in mind. The result? Burnout and a messy second draft. 

To avoid this mistake, you must have a timeline before you start polishing your story. Imagine that at each step of the process, you know exactly what you are doing and what’s next—no burnout or confusion. 

You’ve got a story—now editing turns it into a novel

Book editing for self-published authors is no less than a herculean task. With a breakdown, the process becomes smooth, if not easy. But fret not, your editing journey just got a head start. Here’s the ultimate roadmap you need to follow. 

Timeline Step 1 (Weeks 1–2): Step Away from Your Manuscript

Never jump into editing straight after you have finished your first draft. Why? You need to clear your head first. You have spent a great amount of time writing your story, so you need to gain perspective before pointing out its flaws. 

Step away from your manuscript. Do not touch it for at least two weeks. Go on walks, watch movies, read your favourite books, and hang out with friends. Do whatever helps you spend some time away from the story. 

Timeline Step 2 (Weeks 3–6): Self-Edit with Structure and Sanity

Once you are done filling your creative tank by spending time away from your novel, start with the most rigorous step: self-editing. As a newbie writer, it’s understandable if you don’t know where to start. But don’t worry, here’s the perfect solution: a self-editing checklist. 

Slowly start ticking off items from this checklist, and you will catch up to a steady pace in no time. The best part about this phase? You can find the best tools for self-editing your novel for free. Make sure you are focused and locked in. 

• 7th And 8th Week: Scene-Wise Or Chapter-Wise Edit

After self-editing, start the second round with a micro-level analysis. How are the chapters transitioning? Do the scenes flow smoothly? You might have developed great characters, but to write chemistry that jumps off the page, you need in-depth editing. 

Go through the chapters and scenes, fine-tuning emotional beats, pacing, and the details that might have been left out during self-editing. 

Timeline Step 3 (Weeks 7–8): Dive into Scene-and Chapter-Level Editing

Now comes the phase where you need to step out of the story and become a keen analyst of grammar. Read your story line by line and focus on the sentence structure, rhythm, flow, word choices, clarity, and voice consistency. 

This phase of editing will help in writing style refinement. If you are unsatisfied and feel your manuscript still needs polishing, you can opt for professional line editing services. 

Timeline Step 4 (Weeks 11–14): Gather Insightful Feedback from Beta Readers

Now is the time to introduce your story to others: not your readers, but beta readers. Feedback from beta readers is a crucial part of editing. They tell you what you can’t figure out on your own. 

What’s the best way to get beta reader feedback? Ask them very specific questions. From story structure analysis and character development feedback to worldbuilding critique, ask them everything and anything. But keep in mind: you don’t have to take every suggestion. 

Timeline Step 5 (Week 15): Revise Your Draft Based on Feedback Patterns

You will get multiple feedback from beta readers. Some of it will be contradicting, and some may redirect your plot. Spend a week finding patterns in the feedback. Some suggestions will be mentioned multiple times; try to work on those. 

In the whole process, you will make some bold edits. Just make sure you don’t lose your voice. Trust your instincts and keep going. 

Timeline Step 6 (Week 16+): Bring in Professional Editing Help

If you have come this far, here’s good news: you are just a few steps away from the finishing line. Now is the time to get a professional book editor. As a newbie writer, you must have a thousand questions in your mind: Do I need a developmental editor or a copy editor? Should I get line editing services or manuscript critique services? What do developmental editors actually do?

Here is a simple distinction: developmental editors analyze your story with a macro lens, while copy editors and proofreaders help you with grammar and sentence structure. You can decide which one to choose based on how much you have edited your story and what it lacks.

Final Week: Polishing, Proofreading, Format Check & Celebrate

Finally, you are done with the editing. You have edited your story, and now it’s ready to become a book. Do a final proofread and format your manuscript. Make it publisher-ready. And most importantly, take a moment to celebrate how far you have come.

Editing Can Be a Whirlwind: Here’s How You Can Stay Sane

Editing can feel daunting. However, with the right timeline, you can stay grounded. To keep your sanity intact, make sure you are taking breaks. Also, use checklists so you can visualize the progress. Above all, be kind to yourself and allow yourself to make mistakes because real growth happens when you make mistakes. 

Stuck In An Editing Loop That’s Going Nowhere?

Fret not, you are not alone. Every writer reaches a phase where they keep on spinning the wheel, with no real progress. The good news? All you need is a fresh pair of eyes to make this work. Ready to finish this editing journey strong? Book a Mini Manuscript Critique today and get the insight that elevates your draft into a submission-ready novel.