Step 4: Steps to Follow After Completing the First Draft
Congratulations! You’ve just completed the first draft of your romance novel. That’s a huge accomplishment and something to be proud of. But now that the words are on the page, what’s next? The first draft is just the beginning, and there are several important steps to take before your book is ready for readers.
Here are the crucial next steps to turn your rough draft into a polished love story that'll make readers swoon.
1. Take a Break
After the intense process of writing, give yourself a little time away from your manuscript. This break will allow you to return to your story with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective. Whether it’s a few days or a couple of weeks, stepping back will help you see your work more objectively.
Why It’s Important: A break helps you gain distance from your story, making it easier to spot inconsistencies, plot holes, or areas that need improvement when you return.
But that doesn’t mean you should just sit idle. Here’s how to make the most of this break:
Think About Your Book Cover: What kind of cover would best represent your story? Start researching and finding cover designers whose work aligns with your vision.
Draft Your Book Description (Blurb): This is the summary that will entice readers to pick up your book. Start brainstorming ideas and crafting a compelling blurb.
Look for Beta Readers: These are readers who can provide feedback on your rough draft. Find a few trusted individuals who can offer constructive criticism and insights. They could be someone from your friends or family who are interested in reading your book.
Research Marketing Strategies: Begin thinking about how you will market your book once it’s ready. What platforms will you use? What strategies work best for romance authors?
Plan Your Next Steps: Use this time to map out the rest of your publishing journey. What needs to be done, and when? Look for good editors and proofreaders. Creating a timeline can help keep you on track.
2. Read Through Your Draft
When you’re ready, start by reading through your entire manuscript from beginning to end. Try to read it as if you were a reader experiencing the story for the first time. Take notes on anything that stands out—whether it’s something you love or something that feels off.
Why It’s Important: This first read-through helps you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your story, such as pacing, character development, and overall plot coherence.
Here’s how to approach this:
Note Down Changes: As you read, keep a notebook handy to jot down areas that need improvement. Don’t try to fix everything right away; just focus on identifying issues.
Look for Character Development: Are your characters well-rounded and consistent? Do they grow throughout the story? Make sure each character has a clear arc.
Assess the Pacing: Is your story moving at a pace that will keep readers engaged? Romance readers love a good build-up, but too slow or too fast can lose their interest.
3. Identify the Main Themes and Tropes
As a romance author, your story likely revolves around certain themes and tropes—whether it’s enemies-to-lovers, second chances, or forbidden love. Make sure these elements are clear and consistent throughout your manuscript. Ask yourself if the romance is developing at a natural pace and if the characters’ relationships are believable. (I have created a Printable Romance Tropes Writing Planner Checklist in my Romance Writer’s Kit downloadable materials which can help you here. The link to Download is at the end of this post.)
Why It’s Important: Consistency in themes and tropes ensures that your story resonates with readers who love those specific elements in romance novels.
4. Focus on Character Development
Romance novels thrive on well-developed characters. Take a close look at your protagonists and secondary characters. Are their motivations clear? Do they experience growth throughout the story? Ensure that your characters’ actions and decisions align with their personalities and that their romance feels authentic. (I have created a workbook on Creating Strong Character Foundations and Character Outline Planner in my Romance Writer’s Kit downloadable materials which can help you here.)
Why It’s Important: Strong, relatable characters are key to making readers fall in love with your story and stay invested in the romance.
5. Check for Plot Consistency
Go through your manuscript to ensure that your plot is consistent and logical. Look for any plot holes, unresolved subplots, or confusing timelines. Make sure that each scene serves a purpose and contributes to the overall story. Look for any sagging middle sections or subplots that don't serve the main romance. Every scene should either advance the plot or deepen the relationship between your love interests. Sexual tension is the lifeblood of romance novels. Go through and see where you can add more longing glances, almost-kisses, or emotionally charged moments. (I have created a Printable Romance Novel Outline Planner in my Romance Writer’s Kit downloadable materials which can help you here.)
Why It’s Important: A coherent plot keeps readers engaged and prevents confusion, ensuring that your story flows smoothly from beginning to end.
6. Polish Your Dialogue
Dialogue is crucial in romance novels—it’s how your characters connect, express their feelings, and develop their relationships. Read your dialogue out loud to check for authenticity and natural flow. Remove any unnecessary or repetitive lines and ensure that each character’s voice is distinct.
Why It’s Important: Authentic dialogue brings your characters to life and makes their interactions more engaging for readers.
7. Look for Emotional Impact
Romance is all about emotions. Review your manuscript to ensure that the emotional beats are hitting the right notes. Are the romantic moments powerful enough? Are the conflicts and resolutions satisfying? Aim to evoke a strong emotional response from your readers, whether it’s joy, heartache, or excitement. (I have created a workbook on Spark and Sizzle between Leads in Romance Novels - PART 1 which can help you here.)
Why It’s Important: Emotional impact is what makes romance novels memorable and keeps readers coming back for more.
8. Revise and Edit
Once you’ve gone through your manuscript with a critical eye, it’s time to start revising. This step might involve rewriting scenes, tightening dialogue, or adding new content. Once the big-picture elements are solid, focus on sentence-level edits. Vary your sentence structure, eliminate repetitive words, and make sure your descriptions are vivid but not purple. After revisions, focus on editing for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. (I have created a workbook on Self Editing Checklist for Romance Authors which can help you here. The link to download is at the end of this post.)
Why It’s Important: Revision and editing are crucial to refining your story and making it the best it can be. A polished manuscript is more likely to resonate with readers and leave a lasting impression.
9. Prepare for Feedback
Before finalizing your manuscript, consider sharing it with beta readers who enjoy romance novels. Their feedback can offer valuable insights and help you see your story from a different perspective. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to further improve your book. Their fresh perspective can be invaluable. But remember, it's your story - you don't have to implement every suggestion.
Why It’s Important: Feedback helps you identify areas you might have missed and gives you the opportunity to make your story even stronger.
Here’s how to make the most of their feedback:
Ask Specific Questions: Guide your beta readers by asking about specific aspects of the story. For example, “Did you find the romance believable?” or “Were there any parts that felt slow?”
Be Open to Criticism: Remember, feedback is meant to help you improve. Don’t take it personally; instead, use it to make your story even better.
10. Final Edits and Proofreading
With feedback in hand, you’re ready for the final round of edits. This is where you’ll refine your manuscript to its absolute best. Focus on:
Polishing Your Prose: Make sure every sentence is as strong as it can be. Remove unnecessary words, and ensure clarity in your writing.
Consistency Check: Double-check for consistency in character names, descriptions, and timeline.
Proofreading: Look for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues. This is your last chance to catch any mistakes before publishing.
This is the stage where you send your manuscript for professional editing and proofreading, working closely with editors in a back-and-forth process until your manuscript is polished and ready for publishing.
11. Prepare for your Publication
With your manuscript revised, edited, and polished, it’s time to think about the next steps in your publishing journey. Whether you’re self-publishing or pursuing traditional publishing, create a plan for your book’s release.
Why It’s Important: A well-thought-out plan ensures that your book reaches readers and has the best chance of success.
Here are some final steps to consider:
Format Your Book: Whether you’re self-publishing or going through a publisher, make sure your book is formatted correctly for both print and digital versions.
Finalize Your Cover: By now, you should have a cover design ready. Make sure it’s eye-catching and fits the genre.
Write Your Acknowledgments: Don’t forget to thank those who helped you along the way, including your beta readers and anyone who supported your writing journey.
Plan Your Launch: Start building buzz for your book launch on social media. Consider a cover reveal, Blurb Reveal, pre-order campaign, or even a virtual launch party.
Conclusion: Trust the Process
Writing a romance novel is a labour of love, and completing the first draft is just the beginning. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to turning your draft into a finished, polished book that readers will fall in love with. Remember, every author’s journey is unique, so take your time, trust the process, and enjoy the ride.
Don't rush this process. It's better to spend extra time polishing your manuscript than to submit it before it's ready. Your future readers will thank you for it!
And most importantly, don't lose the passion and excitement that drove you to write your story in the first place. Let that love for your characters and their journey guide you through these revisions.
So, romance writers, take a deep breath, trust the process, and keep pushing forward. The journey may be challenging, but the reward of seeing your book in readers’ hands is worth every effort. Your readers are waiting! Your swoon-worthy bestseller is just a few drafts away!
Stay tuned for Step 5: Deciding Where will you Self Publish and How?
ROMANCE WRITER’s KIT
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