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What to do After You Finish Writing Your First Draft: Next 7 Steps

What to do After You Finish Writing Your First Draft: Next 7 Steps

Did you finish writing the first draft of your novel but don’t know what to do next? The road to revisions can look like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff. Don’t worry. We’re here to guide you through the process. This post outlines the next seven steps you must take after you finish writing the first draft of a book. 

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How to Be a Confident Writer
Writing Tips Serena Montoya Writing Tips Serena Montoya

How to Be a Confident Writer

Overcoming self-doubt as a writer can be an everyday challenge, but these five tips will help you gain the confidence you need to finish your book. In this post, we will show you how to be a confident writer. Ready to write?

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5 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel
Writing Tips Serena Montoya Writing Tips Serena Montoya

5 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel

As a former pantser, I believe every writer needs a structure to tell a cohesive story. The outline doesn't have to be detailed or long, but it needs to give enough for you to sculpt a path forward. These are the five benefits of outlining your novel (especially as a pantser).

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Writing in Future Tense
Writing Tips Serena Montoya Writing Tips Serena Montoya

Writing in Future Tense

The future tense is the least used out there; more often than not, it's only used in segments of writing, rather than a whole novel. In this article you will see why writing in future tense may be powerful for your book, or if you should stay away. We're covering it all.

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Writing in Present Tense
Writing Tips Serena Montoya Writing Tips Serena Montoya

Writing in Present Tense

Still stuck trying to choose the right tense for your novel? This is the second installment in the tenses series where we guide you to the perfect fit for your novel. In this post, we are examining writing in present tense.

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Writing in Past Tense
Writing Tips Serena Montoya Writing Tips Serena Montoya

Writing in Past Tense

Do you have a story idea that you can’t wait to share with the world, but don’t know which tense is right for your book? Don’t worry. I’ve put together an entire series so you can find the right tense for your book. Let’s start by examining writing in past tense.

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How to Become a Writer
Writing Tips Serena Montoya Writing Tips Serena Montoya

How to Become a Writer

These are the first three steps to embody in your creative life if you want to become a writer. And we answer the big question: do you really need a degree to be a writer? Find out now!

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3 Writing tips to stay focused on your story
Writing Tips Serena Montoya Writing Tips Serena Montoya

3 Writing tips to stay focused on your story

Every writer struggles to stay focused. You’re not the only one. The challenge is building a habit to show up for your writing. After writing for several years, I’ve discovered a few external necessary adjustments that have evolved my process. These hacks will show you how to focus better while writing, so you’re not staring at a blinking cursor anymore.

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