What Editors Actually Expect From Your First Draft (It’s Not Perfection)

"No notes!"

Every author dreams of hearing those two words from their editor.

Of course, this is unrealistic, because first drafts are often fraught with issues, and if not fraught then definitely sprinkled. Nobody’s perfect, after all.

But let’s talk about the concept of the perfect first draft for a second.

So what do editors actually expect?

• A complete story, even if it’s messy

• Characters and conflict, even if your prose isn’t polished

• A story they can help shape, not perfection

Although, yes, sometimes you do get to have a moment…

When a recent manuscript of mine came back with minimal notes, I was thrilled. And, honestly, it has happened before. With the sheer number of titles in my backlist, I’m bound to get lucky a time or two. 😅

Anyway, here is the awesome news: some of that process was filmed!

When creating a Pep Talk for the Lemmon Society, I decided to screen record the process of me combing through my first draft. What came out of that recording is 15 minutes of pure behind-the-scenes gold in my writing process.

It’s a part of author life that isn’t typically shown.

Warts and all. 🐸

Here’s the best news: you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Inside The Lemmon Society, you’ll find support, accountability, and a place to keep writing, even when the draft isn’t perfect.

👉 Join The Lemmon Society today. Let’s write.

xo,
Jessica 🍋