One Small Step for a Manuscript...

[JustGo]

...One Great Leap for a Writer!

After a year and a half of revision, I'm finally prepared to share my novel with betas again. I've learned a lot in the process and hope to never spend so much time on any project again. Ever.

So. Now I feel lost.

What should I do while I'm waiting for my betas to read it? My current idea is to begin work on a synopsis and query - I have no idea how to do either of those things yet. I'm on a bit of a tight schedule at the moment, so if anyone could point me toward a few useful threads or articles on the subject or offer me any advice, that would be great.

Also, if you think I should be doing something else at the moment, well, I'll be glad to hear that too. Throw whatever you have at me. If I'd asked something like this before starting revisions, I'm sure it wouldn't have taken me nearly as long as it did...

[Feathers]

Hey :)

While waiting for betas, yeah, I would begin working on my query or synopsis, but you might also consider writing a short story or novella. The whole beta process can take a while and it helps to have something else to work on. Plus, it allows you to stay creative while you're waiting and helps prevent burnout.

Links for the synopsis here (http://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-synopsis.html) and here (http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/synopsis.html).

Link for query letter here (http://headdeskforwriters.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-write-query-letter.html).

Yay for finishing!

-Feathers

[JustGo]

Thanks a lot, Feathers! I'll get right on top of reading those!

[shelboselby]

First off, congrats on getting it polished for a turn at betas!

Work on the synopsis and query if you want, but I'd also work on something little, like a novella or something, that's different from this writing you've been working on for so long. A breath of fresh new literary air will make returning to this other project once the betas are done all the more fun.

Plus, in all honesty, you can probably write synopsis, query, and something for fun in the time betas have it. So do it all!

[Feathers]

Thanks a lot, Feathers! I'll get right on top of reading those!

Welcome :) I thought of something else, too - if you want some ideas on what a finished synopsis should/shouldn't look like, I would definitely check out the Share Your Work forum about query letters and synopsis.

-Feathers

[Harper K]

I'm just a few weeks away from being where you are, JustGo! I bet the view's nice from post-revision land. :D

My plan for that time is to work on my query and synopsis, polish up and submit a few short stories that have been in almost-finished form for too long, and, uh, watch some movies and clean my house.

Congrats on finishing your revision!

[superman skivvies]

Query letter help here (http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html)

[JustGo]

Thanks to everyone who's offered advice, links and congratulations so far :) I've finished Feather's links now, and I'm heading on to the formidable task of reading everything on the site Skivvies sent me before moving on to the SYW forum. Then it's onward to digging out all of my writing books that might be useful.

Keep 'em coming, I love this stuff!

[Charlie Horse]

You could start on your query and synopsis...

or

You could start a new project. As mentioned above, ss, novella, or maybe start drafting your next full on novel.