The third step in the novel writing process: Evaluation

Now that you have written your novel draft, the next step in the novel writing process is to evaluate what you have written. What did you do well, and what needs improvement? It’s important to note that while writing quickly can be beneficial during the first draft, the subsequent revision and editing stages are equally crucial for refining and polishing your novel. Once you have allowed your first draft a few days (sometimes even weeks or months) to cool, it’s time to come back to it and evaluate what you’ve written.

I recommend that you begin by reading straight through the draft, taking notes as you go. There’s no need to fix anything right now. Just make a quick note and then keep reading. Don’t even worry about spelling, grammar, or punctuation yet. There’s no point proofreading when there is still writing to do. When it comes to evaluating your first draft, here are some things to look for on the first read-through:

1. Story structure: Is your story well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end? Does it have a well-defined plot, with rising action, a climax, and a resolution? Make sure your story follows a logical progression and that all plot points and events are essential to the story.
2. Character development: Are your characters fully fleshed out and believable? Do they have their own unique personalities, motivations, and desires? Make sure your characters are well-rounded and that their actions are consistent with their personalities. Even though you’re writing fiction, your character’s thoughts and actions must be believable within the context of the story world you have created.
3. Dialogue: Is your dialogue natural and realistic? Does it move the story forward and reveal character traits? Make sure your dialogue is well-written and that it adds to the story.
4. Pacing: Is the story pacing appropriate? Is it too slow or too fast? Make sure the story moves at a steady pace and that there are no parts that drag on or feel rushed.
5. Setting and description: Are your settings and descriptions vivid and engaging? Do they help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood? Make sure your settings and descriptions are well-written and that they add to the story.
6. Writing style: Is your writing clear, concise, and engaging? Do you use descriptive language and avoid unnecessary jargon or technical terms? Make sure your writing style is appropriate for the genre and audience.

You might attempt to address all these specific issues in one reading, or you might opt for reading the manuscript several times while examining one or two specific elements on each reading.

Again—don’t try to fix anything just yet. Simply take notes and keep working your way through the story. You want to evaluate in the same way you drafted your manuscript: fast. You’re looking at the big picture here, so don’t focus too much on small details like grammatical errors. Remember that the first draft is just the beginning, and there will be many more revisions to come. Don’t be too hard on yourself if there are areas that need improvement. As you move through this process, use the feedback from your own evaluation and from others to make your manuscript the best it can be.

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Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.