It is difficult for most aspiring novelists to realize that their words are not written in stone. Re-writing hones in on the main thrust of the story. It crystallizes character, defines the story goal, brings the setting into reality and makes the story come alive on the pages of a book.

Fiction writing becomes more difficult as more is learned about it. With skill comes awareness. The joy you found when your story first made its presence known in your consciousness — and when you began writing it — dissipates as you re-write. The second, third, fourth and perhaps the fifth draft of your book evokes not only resentment that you must work so hard to produce a saleable novel, but discouragement, frustration, and yes, even boredom. However, the professional author endures the agony, realizing that each re-write clarifies the story and makes it saleable.

THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE STORY IS:

To “get the story out” — to write everything that the creative sub-conscious churns into being about the original story idea.

To “cement” the main character in the story through a trait that must be modified or expanded by the events (scenes) that impact him.
Because of that trait, to present the “path” the main character must walk in order to reach his goal, and with each sequel (reaction to event) show character growth.

To design the background against which the story will take place.

To define the adversary blocking the character’s path toward goal.

To show the need for sub-characters to help or hinder character’s striving for goal.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE STORY IS:

To “weed out” unnecessary scenes, embellish major scenes that are a vital part of the main thrust of the story and to accentuate the trait preventing the main character from achieving his goal.

To eliminate unnecessary sub-characters.

To tighten sentences, eliminating extraneous words.

To make certain that sequel follows each scene in order — and that the character reacts ONLY to the preceding scene/disaster.

To REFINE DIALOGUE BY:
Eliminating unnecessary conversation.
Strengthening characters through their own words.
Choosing a FOCUS for each conversation.
Making certain that a conversation does not contain information already presented to the reader in narrative or dialogue.

THE PURPOSE OF THE THIRD DRAFT OF THE STORY IS:

While the second draft DISTILLED the story — STRENGTHENED the main thrust, cut away the FAT and aimed toward the CLIMAX, THE THIRD DRAFT exposes the “nitty gritty” words, expositions, reactions and emotional clutter that was not evident until the second draft cleared away the initial debris.