When is enough rewriting and editing enough?

I write the first draft as fast as I can (not that fast). And then I deepen the story in drafts two and three (each of the three drafts has a specific aim). I don't see any of these drafts as editing, but as a deepening. I'm still working creatively.

After I'm happy that the work is creatively complete, I then edit—looking on it from a critical (not creative) point of view.

I find it useful not to put the critical editing hat on too soon; otherwise, I end up slowing myself down.

 

For me, the process is:

1 - rough draft. Not real rough, as I try to fix the glaringly obvious stuff as I go along, which means I manage maybe a 1000 words a night instead of 2000. Most of my longer tales (40,000+ words) have taken 6-8 weeks.

2 - the rewrite - patch the plot holes, resolve the character, logic, and world building issues. With me, the big deal is sequence issues - scenes that are in the wrong chapters. This often means tossing entire chapters, writing new chapters from scratch, and greatly expanding existing chapters. Typically, about a third of the rough draft will get tossed - sometimes more. In a couple cases, I tossed something like 80% of the original (Labyrinth: Journal, Empire: Country, and Empire: Estate.) The 40,000+ drafts I start with tend to hit the 60,000+ word mark by the end of this process. This stage typically takes months and is disheartening.

Shorter works - under about 25,000 words tend to be focused enough to where I can skip the rewrite and move straight to editing.

3 - the edit passes. Usually several of these - fixing speech tags, getting the names straight, grammar bugs, and minor plot hiccups. Several passes here.

And that is about all i can tell you. Go with what works.

 

I set a pre-order date... It’s done when that date comes. Otherwise, I might just tinker around forever.

This may not be the sanest option.

 

If your story gets significantly better each time you go through, then by all means keep going. Don't cut it off too soon solely because you feel like you're spending to much time on it. As Devor already mentioned, you could just be going through a lot of growth right now. It's okay to be stalled for a really long time on one book as you're building up your skill set and learning how to write.
If you're just fiddling around with sentences and this is your third time going through the manuscript, though, I would suggest being done. Anything you failed to catch your first two times looking through is likely too small for most of your readers to notice (Or else it was out of your skill set, because aforementioned growth). Of course, little things will always get through, but doing a million more drafts in hopes you will catch everything is futile perfectionism.

Once you're published, you have to worry more about deadlines and stuff, (whether they're from a publisher or self-imposed) but if you're not in that position, I would make it as good as your current skills allow. You do reach a point where more changes are really only changes and aren't really improving the reading experience that much, and it you have a sneaking suspicion that's where you may be at but aren't quite sure, maybe try getting some feedback, but don't stress about too many revisions if you really do feel like they're helping the book of your skills as a writer.

 

I know my editing process has to include critiquing and beta readers.

 

I would’ve been fine if the book didn’t run 57k more words than I expected, LOL. That and a weird overwrite between dropbox and Scrivener. Otherwise, I kind of like the adrenaline of it, and i don’t set anything I can’t make. If I hadn’t set the rpesale, book 2 still might not be “done”, LOL.

 

If your beta-readers tell you it's ready - it probably is. They're my final head-check as well. If they agree I've filled the plot holes and polished the prose, it's time to publish (and think about a sequel).

Best of luck to you.

 

I just found this the other day (from a former agent):

 

When two other people can read your story without finding spelling or grammar errors and it makes sense.