When I wrote “Broken Promises” the first time, it was a disaster now long erased. The second draft became the novel. How many drafts did it take? Two or three, I think.
“Old Promises” also took one draft. Then I rewrote and edited for two or three more drafts to finish the novel.
Both of these were rewritten again to add the recipes Hazel used in the book.
Life’s Rules
This novel is different. The first rewrite happened even before the rough draft was written. In fact, I’ve never completed the rough draft.
This last is not really true. I’ve completed the draft in my head. That’s not really the same as I add lots of details, dialogue and more when I write down what’s in my head.
How many drafts so far? I’m on the third rewrite now. It seems I needed to draw some maps and rewrite some of the draft.
The problem with rewriting a partial draft so many times is that part of the novel gets set, edited and polished while the rest is still in need of many things. I tend to focus on actions, plot and dialogue in my first drafts.
The characters are in my head. The settings are in my head. I can see them, hear them, feel them.
A reader can’t see inside my head. That means yet another draft adding descriptions of characters and settings. Those things I can see need to be visible to the reader through my words.
The Carduan Chronicles
How many drafts does this one make for the Carduan Chronicles? I’ve lost count. At least this draft has straightened out two major problems.
Ship Eighteen is journeying to Cardua. With this draft the journey has some semblance of timing. And my missing six passengers are now included in the draft.
This part of the novel will need one more rewrite to add details about the characters. My problem now is that I don’t really see my characters yet.
Ship Nineteen needs to be rewritten as well. How many drafts for it? I don’t know. But I will have a better timeline and know what some of the problems are for tackling this draft in April.
Both Life’s Rules and The Carduan Chronicles: Arrival should be done this year.
