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Review and Revise

This is the polishing phase of your book. After the rough draft is complete in its sketchy form, you need to go back, reread, review and revise what you've got so far.

During the revision phase, you'll be fixing more than simple misspellings and commas in your draft. You'll be taking a fresh look from a critical viewpoint and honing your book so that it will be transformed from crude grammar and gaping holes to a refined and well-thought-out book to present for publishing.

You'll be scrutinizing your draft to see if what you've done so far is exactly what you wanted to say and in the method you want to say it (for example, with enough humor and detailed) and targeted to the proper audience.

The process of reviewing and revising your rough draft into a final product is important and if you've never done it before, there are some things you should know that will make the task easier, faster and more productive.

The Process of Review and Revision

After you finish the rough draft of your book, you should walk away from it for a time. You've likely immersed yourself in mind-mapping the outline and transforming that into a rough draft with notes, reminders and thoughts you want to incorporate.

Stepping back for awhile will give you a fresh new perspective on what you've accomplished so far and make the revision process much easier. It's up to you how long you wait before tackling review and revision. For some, a few hours are enough and for others, it could take a day, week or even a month.

Here are some ideas that you'll want to incorporate in the various stages of the revision process:

Read from a hard copy in the beginning. Most professional writers find that errors or problems tend to be seen on paper more clearly than the computer screen.

Read the rough draft straight through. Don't begin making corrections until you've read the entire book through to refresh your memory about the big issues that you want the book to address.

Focus on the big picture at first. Forget about the commas and spelling during the first few runs through the draft. Right now, focus on whether your book addresses the questions and viewpoints you want your reader to come away with.

Make the prose flow. Are there areas of the book where your thoughts wander or you're confused? If you're experiencing that, your reader will also. Be sure your text flows seamlessly throughout the book.

Does your book deliver what it promises? The purchaser and reader of your book had a reason for choosing it over the other offerings. Perhaps it was a blurb on the front or back cover that promised information about a subject or process that interested them. Be sure your book covers what you claim it will.

Are your facts accurate? Check and recheck the facts that you present in the book to ensure their accuracy. Nothing can ruin your book for the reader than inaccuracy in the content.

Does the book end properly? Your conclusion should tie everything in the book together and leave the reader happy that he or she bought and read what you had to say.

Does it make sense? Finally, your book should make complete sense to the audience you're targeting. At this point, you may want to have another person who knows something of what you're writing about to look over the book and ask questions or comment.

You may go through several draft processes before you announce that your book is ready for a final review and edit. Some writers claim they can write a book in only one draft, but for most of us, it takes several.

Editing and Proofreading

You're approaching the finish line of completing your book when you reach the editing and proofreading stage. Editing your draft includes looking for phrases you can make more forceful and avoiding repetition within the book.

Proofreading is looking for commas and other grammar faux paux that can make a difference in how your readers comprehend what you're trying to say. At this level of book polishing, it's best to read the manuscript aloud so you can get the full impact of the words and the punctuation choices you've made.

Time to Hire a Professional Editor

After you're as sure as you can be that your book is polished and finished, think about hiring a professional editor to pronounce it "finished." You can try to get a recommendation for an editor through another writer or a professional publisher.

Before you choose an editor, be sure she can provide samples of her work and that she has references. Although the editor likely won't be savvy enough to know all the facts you're writing about, she can make recommendations on glaring mistakes and style.

Remember that you don't have to take everyone's feedback as law. Make your own decisions on some feedback issues, but take every one of them seriously so that you can feel confident as you progress to the publishing stage of your masterpiece.

Main Learning Points of Chapter 4: Review and Revise

This part of the writing process may seem tedious to some, but it's an important part of putting the finishing touches on your manuscript and making sure it's as perfect as can be before releasing it to the world. Rather than look at the big picture and be overwhelmed, you can review and revise in small parts until you're sure you've done everything you can to correct errors and make the prose flow properly. Here are some main takeaways you should have gathered from Chapter 4: Review and Revise:

Take a vacation from the book for awhile. It helps to review and revise when you can have a fresh perspective on what you've written so far. Some writers only take a few hours, while others need a week or a month.

Take a critical viewpoint of your book. At first, you'll want to read through and understand what you've written in your first draft. Don't bother with grammar and punctuation, but instead, focus on filling in gaps and making sure you've got your facts straight.

Be sure your book delivers what you promised the reader. The purchaser and reader of your book bought it for a specific reason. Whatever is promised on the cover or introduction of the book should lie within it.

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