Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

I'm doing a DEEP DIVE into the editing process for my second published book The Stars We Steal! Want to know how a first draft differs from a finished, published copy? I'm going in, full spoilers, and talking about my editing process.

For a similar video about the process with my debut, Brightly Burning: youtu.be/-yyMM_AjDr0

TSWS Writing/Editing Vlog Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtxq7zLDhMH_qr2FgyFT_3yqqAg_LJJK

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction
02:32 Draft One vs. Draft Zero
04:57 Idea development & mystery plot
06:16 Figuring out the antagonist
07:00 Adding a Bachelor plotline
08:18 Inventing Daniel
09:51 My first terrible ending
10:39 Things in draft one I later threw out
12:01 The B plot from hell
12:32 The pool motif/murder backstory
14:49 Mushy politics & why revision is essential
15:40 Diminishing Maxim & Ewan/swapping character function
16:45 Leo the engineer/inventor
17:29 Rewriting Klara (3 times)
18:46 Turning in the 1st draft/edit letter
19:13 Elliot's motivations/rewriting the romance arc (3x)
21:39 Emotional consistency & rewriting critical scenes
22:40 Turning early filler into high stakes tension
23:49 Dead kids in a romance (mistakes were made)
24:25 Firming up the politics/worldbuilding
26:05 Addressing Leo's agency
27:58 SPEED DATING!
29:15 Rewriting the "fun & games"
30:52 Completely changing the space walk
33:32 Trying to fix the Lady Liberty
35:42 Changing the mystery drive
36:54 The second ending (that failed) & poor Daniel
38:48 Final/third draft changes
39:52 Finally nailing the romance arc
40:54 Making speed dating high tech
42:52 Calling Leo out for classism
44:50 Sexy Marco Polo/fixing the Lady Liberty
46:33 Adding the deep backstory murder plot/new climax
47:59 New ending/epilogue
49:20 Line edits & working in the cover motif




Add THE IVIES, my YA thriller featuring competitive college admissions & murder, out in 2021, on Goodreads! goodreads.com/book/show/48896122-the-ivies

+OTHER PROJECTS+
Support NovelTea Show on Patreon! We're launching a podcast, with your support. patreon.com/novelteashow

+BUY MY BOOKS+
Add THE STARS WE STEAL (Jane Austen + The Bachelor, in space) on Goodreads: goodreads.com/book/show/40950392-the-stars-we-steal

Buy BRIGHTLY BURNING from Book Depository (ships worldwide!): bookdepository.com/Brightly-Burning-Alexa-Donne/9781785659423

Buy BRIGHTLY BURNING on Amazon: amazon.com/Brightly-Burning-Alexa-Donne/dp/1328948935/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1500334638&sr=1-1

Get Brightly Burning on Audible.com! audible.com/pd/Brightly-Burning-Audiobook/B07H41CPVC?asin=B07H41CPVC&source_code=AUDOR2220912189OII

+LINKS+
Goodreads:
goodreads.com/book/show/35065031-brightly-burning

Twitter:
twitter.com/alexadonne

Instagram:
instagram.com/alexadonne

Newsletter Sign-Up:
alexadonne.com/newsletter

Website:
alexadonne.com

Wattpad:
wattpad.com/user/alexadonne

+FILMING SPECS+
Camera: Canon t6i
Mic: Rode VideoMic Go Light
Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit
Editing Software: Pinnacle Studio 22