I Published My NaNo-Novel: 8 Steps to Get You Through the Revision Marathon

During January of our “Now What?” Months, we’re talking to Wrimos who’ve published their NaNoWriMo projects and asking them how they got there. Today, Kat Yeh, author of The Truth about Twinkie Pie , shares how she followed up NaNo’s sprint with a revision marathon:

On December 1st, 2010, I had just finished NaNoWriMo and was in possession of my first completed novel. It had some good moments, but it was a first draft. And a rough one, too. I had gone into NaNoWriMo with a pretty clear idea of my main character’s voice and, even though I wasn’t sure of the entire plot, I had a strong sense of the heart and theme of the story. 

I had heard the stories of editors and agents who dreaded December 1 for the flood of unpolished manuscripts that would hit them. I did not want to be one of the dreaded. This is what I did:

1. I hit save and put it away. 

For several months.

2. I wrote a letter to myself about the story I wanted to tell. 

I wrote about my intention and what the heart of my story was.

3. When enough time had passed that I could barely remember it, I printed out the whole manuscript and read it straight through. 

It was a mess. I put it away again and ruminated.

4. I reread the letter I had written and then read my manuscript again. 

I made quick, instinctive notes, keeping the letter in mind. Checking to see if what I intended was happening on the page. 

5. Then I began cutting and stapling, slashing sections, moving scenes. 

I restapled and refitted everything together into three Acts a la Syd Field.

6. I did a new read through.

This time, I made sure to keep taking notes on what was still needed.

7. Only after I felt the structure, timeline, and big picture of the story was set up properly, was I ready. 

I wrote these words on an index card and kept it taped above my workspace:

“Everyone and everything in your story has a purpose that either propels or illustrates the path of your main character’s journey.” And I began to write.

8. When I finished that first set of revisions, I put it away again.

NaNoWriMo was a fantastic sprint. But turning my manuscript into a novel—that was a marathon. It took almost two years after finishing NaNoWriMo before I sent my manuscript out. And half of the time, it was hidden away. For me, that time away was just as valuable as the time writing. 

I wish you all luck! You’ve done the sprint—now comes the marathon.

Kat grew up reading, doodling, and scribbling in Westtown, Pennsylvania. She worked for many years in advertising and sports marketing, while writing children’s books in the wee hours of the night. She currently lives on Long Island where she can see water every day and explore all the bay and harbor beaches with her family. She is the author of picture books, You’re Lovable to Me and The Magic Brush. The Truth About Twinkie Pie is her debut middle grade novel.