Most writers strive to show up for editing with a complete manuscript, believing that a finished first draft proves they’re serious about writing. But cranking out an entire manuscript without nailing down basics like POV or character motivation can send you down a dark, dark path. That’s not dedication—that’s expensive trial and error.
When you’re all the way to page 200 before realizing your protagonist makes zero sense, you can’t simply tweak that in revision. Rebuilding a character from scratch means a complete rewrite.
So while it’s true that editors can’t offer a full edit until you’ve finished the manuscript, the writers who actually make it to the end don’t necessarily make it in one go. The ones who make it across the finish line are the ones willing to crack open their messy first chapters and ask an editor or coach, “What am I totally missing here?”
Getting early feedback—when you can plug the plot hole during chapter three instead of tearing down the entire story—isn’t cheating or giving up. It’s being smart about not writing yourself into a corner that could take months to dig out of.
In this issue of The Writes of Fiction:
The benefits of sharing unfinished work
Hard truths for anyone writing a first novel
Techniques for fully developing a story concept
Top reasons reveals fall flat
Understanding how stories work changes everything. I’ll show you how to back up your creative instincts so your ideas hit home. Ready to get serious about your book? Apply to work with me.