How to Write a Novel - Episode Seven: Revision and Editing

Welcome to Episode Seven of our Online Writing Workshop! Today, we delve into one of the most critical stages of the novel-writing process: revision and editing. If you've made it this far, congratulations! Completing a first draft is a significant milestone in itself, but the journey toward creating a polished and publishable work is just beginning. Revision and editing are the vital steps that will transform your initial draft into a refined novel, ready for publication or sharing with your eager readers.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a first-time novelist, the revision process can feel daunting. However, by approaching it with a structured plan, you'll find that it's not only manageable but also a rewarding phase where your story truly comes to life.

Understanding the First Draft

The first thing to remember about your initial draft is that it’s just that—a first draft. This is your raw material, a vessel that holds your ideas, characters, and plot, but it’s likely far from the polished final version you envision. Most first drafts are riddled with errors, including typos, grammatical mistakes, and inconsistencies in logic or story development. It’s essential not to be discouraged by this; instead, view it as an opportunity to improve and refine your work.

Think of the first draft as a sculptor's block of marble. The story is in there, but it needs chiseling and shaping to become the masterpiece you envision. With patience and focus, revision and editing will allow you to carve out a version of your novel that’s not only readable but also compelling and engaging.

Embracing the Messiness of Drafting

It’s important to recognize that the messiness of your first draft is a natural part of the creative process. Many writers find that their initial ideas evolve significantly during revision. Allow yourself to explore different narrative paths, character motivations, and plot twists during this stage. Embrace the imperfections and remember that the first draft is merely a stepping stone toward your final product.

The Importance of Taking a Break

One of the most overlooked yet essential steps in the revision process is taking a break from your manuscript. After completing your first draft, step away from your text for a little while—whether it’s a few days, a week, or even a month. This time away allows you to gain emotional distance from your writing. When you return, you’ll read with fresh eyes, enabling you to spot issues you may have been blind to while immersed in the writing process.

During this break, engage with other creative projects or catch up on reading. The important part is to give your brain the opportunity to shift gears and reset. When you come back to your novel, you’ll likely be surprised at how much clearer the story feels—and how much easier it is to see what needs work.

The Power of Perspective

Taking a break can also provide new perspectives. While you're away from your manuscript, consider brainstorming ideas or jotting down thoughts about your characters or plot. This can lead to exciting revelations that you can incorporate into your revisions. Remember, distance can breed clarity.

First Read-Through: A Critical Eye

After your break, it’s time for the first read-through of your manuscript. Approach this stage with a critical mind—not as the writer, but as a reader. This is where you need to put on your editor hat. Here are some key questions to guide you through this stage:

1. Does the plot make sense? Does every scene contribute to the story, or are there parts that feel unnecessary or unrelated?
2. Are the characters well developed? Are their motivations clear, and do they experience growth throughout the story?
3. Is the pacing appropriate? Does the story move too quickly or too slowly at any point?
4. Is the setting well-established? Do readers have a clear sense of time and place in each scene?
5. Does the dialogue sound natural? Are conversations believable, and do they help to reveal character or advance the plot?

Keeping Track of Your Thoughts

As you read through your manuscript, keep a notepad or digital document handy to jot down thoughts and comments. You may want to highlight sections that stand out as problematic, make notes in the margins, or write down any questions that arise. This step is about identifying the broader issues in the manuscript—plot holes, character development problems, inconsistencies in tone, or confusing transitions.

Focusing on the Core Elements: Plot, Characters, and Structure

During this first round of revisions, concentrate on the big-picture elements of your novel: plot, character arcs, and overall structure. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Plot

• Is the story coherent and engaging? Does it follow a logical progression, or are there gaps or unresolved threads?
• Are there plot holes? It’s common for gaps to arise in the first draft. Identify and address them to ensure your plot flows smoothly.

2. Characters

• Are your characters consistent in their behavior? Do they evolve over the course of the story?
• Do their goals, motivations, and conflicts come across clearly? Each character’s actions should be justified, and they should feel multidimensional rather than flat.

3. Structure

• Does your novel have a clear structure? Check the logical flow from one chapter to the next.
• Is the timeline easy to follow? Ensure that your story maintains a sense of forward momentum, keeping readers engaged and invested in the outcome.

These large-scale revisions are crucial to making sure your novel’s foundation is solid before you begin fine-tuning sentences and fixing minor errors.

Fine-Tuning: Language and Style

Once you’ve addressed the big-picture issues, it’s time to turn your attention to language and style. This is where you polish your prose, ensuring that every sentence contributes to the overall tone and mood of the story.

Key Areas to Focus On:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Are your sentences clear and to the point, or are they overly wordy or vague? Tightening your prose will make your writing stronger and more impactful.
• Repetition: Are you repeating words, phrases, or ideas unnecessarily? Too much repetition can dull the impact of your writing.
• Voice and Tone: Does the narrative voice remain consistent throughout the novel? Look for shifts in tone that feel out of place.

Correcting Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation

After working on the bigger issues, it’s time to focus on the details. First drafts tend to be riddled with typos, grammatical errors, and punctuation mistakes, but don’t worry! These errors are often easy to fix during this final phase of editing.

Essential Editing Checks:

• Spelling and Grammar: Run a spell check through your manuscript, but don’t rely solely on digital tools. They won’t catch everything, so be sure to read through your text carefully.
• Punctuation: Ensure that you’ve used punctuation correctly. Misused punctuation can confuse readers or interrupt the flow of the story.
• Formatting: If you plan to submit your manuscript to agents or publishers, ensure that it’s properly formatted according to industry standards, including font, spacing, and chapter breaks.

Consistency and Continuity

During revision, it’s crucial to look out for issues with continuity and consistency. Sometimes, characters or events change in ways that don’t make sense within the story. For example, a character may start with one name in the first chapter and have a different name in a later chapter, or an important event might occur twice without explanation.

Keeping Track of Details:

Be vigilant about these kinds of mistakes, and ensure that your story is consistent throughout. This applies to smaller details, such as time of day, weather conditions, or location descriptions. Keeping track of these elements is key to creating a believable, cohesive narrative.

The Value of Beta Readers

Once you’ve completed your revisions, it’s helpful to seek out beta readers. These are individuals who will read your manuscript and give you feedback from a reader’s perspective. Beta readers can be friends, family members, fellow writers, or even people from writing communities. Their fresh perspective will provide insights that you, as the writer, might not see.

Encouraging Honest Feedback

Encourage your beta readers to be honest in their feedback. Ask them questions like:

• Did the plot make sense to you?
• Were the characters believable and relatable?
• Did the pacing feel right?
• Were there any parts of the story that felt confusing or slow?

Beta readers offer valuable outside perspectives that can help you spot issues you may have missed during your revisions.

Hiring a Professional Proofreader

Once you’ve gone through multiple rounds of revision and incorporated feedback from beta readers, consider hiring a professional proofreader. A proofreader will catch grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and formatting issues that may have slipped through your self-editing process. While it may be tempting to skip this step, a professional’s eye can make the difference between a manuscript that feels amateurish and one that is polished and professional.

Engaging with Your Audience

If you’re self-publishing or sharing parts of your novel online, audience engagement is key. Pay close attention to reader feedback, as it can offer valuable insights into your story. You might notice patterns in the comments, which can help you understand how readers perceive your plot, characters, and writing style. This feedback can be especially useful if you plan to release a sequel or continue improving your craft in future works.

Building a Connection

Engaging with your audience can also help you build a loyal readership. Consider hosting Q&A sessions, responding to comments on your social media, or creating newsletters to keep your readers informed about your writing journey. The more connected your readers feel, the more likely they are to support your future projects.

Conclusion: The Journey of a Novel

In conclusion, revision and editing are not merely about fixing errors—they represent an opportunity to transform your story into the best version of itself. It’s a long, iterative process, but with every draft, your novel gets closer to the polished gem you set out to create. The key is to be patient, keep an open mind, and embrace the changes that will help your story shine.

Remember, every successful author has gone through the revision process, and it’s an essential part of becoming a better writer. Embrace this phase as a chance to grow, refine your skills, and ultimately, to share your unique voice with the world.