What I Wish I Knew When I Started My 1st Draft

No two author's journey to first draft to published book is ever the same. However, there are ways to ease the editing & revision journey.

Figuring out if you are a plotter, pantser or hybrid is the first step in the writing journey. Are you someone who wants to know character's names, outline each chapter and develop your act system prior to writing? If that sounds like you, then you're a planner. Do you have a broad idea about your book and your main character's names picked out, but are letting the story write itself? If so, you're a pantser. Hybrids are the most common amongst authors, but most traditionally published author's will tell you that plotters have a better chance at initially getting represented by a literary agent.

I started out as a hybrid, I'm still there, but attempting to become more of a plotter as each book progresses. As a debut author, I've learned a lot by research, but even more from being in the thick of it.

Character sheets will be your best friend and benefit your alpha readers, editors, and beta readers monumentally. If I could go back and smack myself for not starting one sooner, I would. Filling one in, in the thick of revising isn't pleasant, but helps catch any character description inconsistencies.

Having a beat sheet that you can fill out prior to writing is important, it's something you can refer back to as you reread your drafts. Filling out new ones each time you edit is important. If you have blank areas, then you know where you need to focus in on to have a complete story.

Saving multiple copies of each drafted version and edit are important, files can become corrupt forcing a retype at any stage of the journey. Word .docx don't always play nice with other editing software. Keep that in mind, if it wasn't for my copyeditor Liv, I would've had to push my release date back.

Getting sample edits from editors is important. Knowing the level of detail provided in the service as well as the type of feedback you'll receive prior to shelling out hundreds towards your manuscript will save stress down the line. My first developmental editor was a nightmare.

Unfortunately, I'm a new author, which meant I hadn't worked with many developmental editors prior. Continuously having red flags and an overarching sense of dread when working with this individual, I knew something wasn't adding up. 2+2 did not add up to 4 in her edits and reader reports.

February 2025, that same editor dropped the ball terribly. To the point where I reached out to my copy editor for immediate support. The reader report I received on her 3rd developmental edit became glaringly obvious, I didn't have the support I'd been wanting, needing and paying for.

The report was filled with a disturbing number of errors about the world, history of characters and plot progression. To both of us, it seemed like she hardly read the book at all. What's crazy is she did, but we later found out it was due to "baby brain," and "work stress." Whatever the real reason was, I didn't feel comfortable proceeding with her as my leading editor.

For four months I had debated on reaching out to Emily, my present developmental editor. Something inside of me told me she was the right person to join this team. I'm glad I requested a coffee chat with her. It was the best decision I've made in my first year as an author.

Emily has provided me with more support more support in two months than my previous developmental editor did in eight. With going over only chapter one together, I realized that my anxiety with the first editor was spot on. While I couldn't explain why at the time I felt unsupported and that there was something off about the previous editor, it was quickly discovered sitting with a true professional for just a single chapter.

There are multiple predatory "professionals" out in this field. Whether is be ill equipped "professional" readers or editors who should take a hard look in the mirror. The two wonderful women apart of my team now have championed behind me every step of the way.

Your editing team should be there to listen to your wants, needs, and concerns about your manuscript while providing support and guidance to help bring the best version to your future readers. I can't stress enough how important it is to vet your editors before hiring them as well as having a team that believes in your story.

While these aren't the only things I wish I knew prior to writing my first draft, they are the three most important. If I'd known these three things it would've saved me emotional, financial and physical stress that came from learning things the hard way.

I wish you nothing but the best in your writing journey and hope my hiccups helped save you from needing copious amounts of coffee.

Sincerely,

C.M. Perry

Literary Dragon Tamer