Writing Tips for Enhancing Your Fantasy Novel: From Weak Beginning to Strong Finish
Are you currently working on a fantasy novel and noticed that your beginning is much weaker compared to the middle? Should you rush to revise the initial part or should you focus on completing the first draft? In this article, we will discuss the importance of finishing the first draft and provide tips on how to enhance your story, making both the beginning and the end strong and coherent.
Why You Should Finish the First Draft
It is common to encounter issues like a weak beginning when you're in the process of writing a novel. You might find yourself thinking about incorporating missing elements or cutting out unnecessary parts. However, it is crucial to understand that these ideas should be clarified and refined in a subsequent draft.
Finishing your first draft is essential because it allows you to tell the story from start to finish without self-editorship. During this stage, you will uncover what elements are necessary to include and which parts need to be cut. The first draft serves as the blueprint for your entire novel, making it easier to identify areas for improvement.
A Balanced Approach: Revise and Draft
While it is tempting to start revising the beginning while writing, it can hinder your progress significantly. Instead, focus on completing the first draft and then sort out the necessary revisions later.
Keep track of the points you want to include or discard while writing. This will help you maintain a clear mind and prevent frustration or confusion as the story progresses. You can revisit and refine these elements in the second draft.
One practical method is to jot down the best bits you come across during the initial writing process. These can be used to create a fresh new beginning that is compelling and coherent. This way, you can save time and avoid getting stuck on half-formed ideas or redundant sections.
Using Middle Strength for the Beginning
The middle of your novel is likely strong and engaging. You can utilize the strength of the middle to inform and enhance the beginning. Analyze what makes the middle strong, and try to incorporate those elements at the beginning of the novel. This could involve setting up clues in reverse or establishing key discoveries critical to the story.
Identify any unnecessary or distracting elements that don't add to the plot, such as excessive descriptions or tangents. Cut these to ensure a smoother narrative flow. If you keep revising while writing, you might never reach the end of your first draft, making it crucial to prioritize completion.
Feedback and Revision
Once you have finished the first draft, it is beneficial to workshop your work with a couple of other writers or beta readers. Their fresh perspective can reveal issues you might have overlooked, and their critiques can help you improve your story. Even if you ultimately decide not to make all the suggested changes, valid feedback will undoubtedly require adjustments and revisions.
Remember, the revision process may require multiple passes to ensure your story is polished and coherent. It is normal to need to make several rounds of edits, but the first draft is the foundation upon which the story will be built.
Conclusion
Finishing the first draft of your fantasy novel is the most efficient approach to enhancing your story. By completing the initial draft, you gain a clearer understanding of what needs to be revised and what elements should be strengthened. If you can, incorporate feedback from other writers or beta readers, as their insights can significantly improve your story. Embrace the revision process, and you will be well on your way to crafting a compelling and engaging fantasy novel.