Draft 3 begins the exact same way Draft 2 did: with the Red Pen Edits. Same thing goes, same rules apply. You will probably notice that your story, while “complete” is still lacking in some manner. It is okay. That's what this draft is for. When you reread Draft 2 you may find yourself being disgusted with your own words. This is normal. Six short months ago you were putting the finishing touches on the best story you ever wrote, yet, today, as you read you think to yourself “what was I thinking? This needs a ton of help!” Draft 3 to the rescue. These red pen edits will show you just how far you have come as a writer. Also, just how far you need to go. Everything is in place, but something is missing. Exactly what, is going to be different. Not just for every writer out there, but for every story of every writer. Perhaps you need a new side plot, perhaps you need to find a way to add yet another 10,000 (or more) words. Perhaps some idea will come to you as you edit and you will write a whole new page about a single sentence. The goals for these red pen edits are to get you to your word count goal, and to fix all the errors you now find (that you would not have even thought of six months ago). Grammar is still not an issue, so don't worry about it. But here is where you want to fix all the your/you're issues. Make sure dates and times match up. You may find that the hero is 9 years old in chapter 12 but you made him 12 years old in chapter 19 even though only 1 year has passed. More adjectives, more descriptions, more chapters, more side plots and plot twists will happen. Believe me when I say at the end of this draft you will actually believe you have something worth sending in for publication consideration. You will. It will be good. Not perfect. But good.
Once your red pen edits are done, start making your changes. Personally, I create a brand new document on the computer and copy each chapter from Draft 2 into Draft 3. One chapter at a time. As I paste the chapter I make my edits my red pen tells me too. A quick re-read and then I begin the new chapter. If I need to add a chapter I write it out and stick it in. (If this happens to you, please pay careful attention to the end of this section about "new chapters"). I go and go and go like this until all the new edits are done, all the words are in place and all the chapters are written.
Take a look at your word count. Are you at your goal? You should be. If you are still short, figure out what you need to do to get there. Maybe yet another new chapter, or maybe a few pages need to be added. Read through it again and find out where you can “fluff” your story.
Fluffing is a trade trick. Its not really cheating, but it does nothing but add words to your story. You find a paragraph and just add to it. Nothing that really moves the story forward, just adds to the story. Perhaps you make it a little richer. Maybe just more details and description. Maybe you find a paragraph that talks about grandma, and you add in why she picked the socks she is currently wearing, or how her hair is in need of a new perm. Use this draft to get to your word count. Fluffing is good for 100 to 5000 words. Anything more than that and you should consider adding a new chapter.
So what about adding new chapters? Well the first thing you will notice is that they are now 3 drafts behind. For all that matters they are Draft 1 versions in a Draft 3 edit. However, this truly isn't the case. Your writing has improved. Your inner narrative knows how the story is flowing, you are used to the filler, the details and the fluff. So, no, you don't need to take time off. Write them, follow the same rules for each draft. Each new chapter you have written needs to go through the exact same process. Red pen edits, rewrites, everything. Once you have those chapters caught up and everything for the draft is complete, it's time to sit back and relax. Make sure your word count is within range, save the draft, and step back and marvel at your awesomeness.
You don't need to take a ton of time off before you start Draft 4. I still suggest about a week, just to give your mind a break. If you are good with grammar rules, then get on it. If you are not, take the time to learn. Spelling, grammar and flow of story are the key concepts of Draft 4. When you are ready, we will begin.
YOU ARE READING
How To Write a Novel: The 5 Draft Method
Non-FictionWriting a novel is hard. Here I discuss my 5-Draft Method for writing from nothing to a completed, final draft.
