How To Revise And Edit Your Novel
Revising and editing a novel are critical stages in the writing process. Many writers find these late phases of a project daunting, but it’s also the phase where your manuscript truly comes to life. Here’s a guide on how to revise and edit your novel effectively and efficiently.
What Is The Difference Between Revising, Drafting and Editing?
It’s important to understand the distinction between revising and editing. Revising (or drafting) is about refining the content, structure, and flow of the novel—making big changes to plot, character arcs, and overall pacing. During revision, you will look for the big picture issues, such as plot holes, poor pacing, or underdeveloped characters or chapter sequences. Large parts of your text will be changed around, and the essential meaning and arc of your novel finalised. Editing, on the other hand, focuses on language: grammar, spelling, punctuation, consistency, and clarity. It’s the finessing of the text, and the cutting away of things that have become redundant in the book’s final form.
The terms are used interchangeably, even by publishing professionals, but there is a distinction worth noting. Additionally, editing also describes the process of finalising a text after it has been accepted for publication by a publisher.
The Stages of Revising and Editing Your Novel
Step 1: Upon Finishing Your First Draft, Get Some Distance!
After finishing your draft, give yourself some time away from the manuscript. A few days to a few weeks (or even a few months) of distance will help you return to the story with fresh eyes, making it easier to spot flaws or inconsistencies that you might have missed during the first pass. Things that once seemed essential to include might no longer seem so. You are letting the book “settle” and move into its next form.
Step 2: Read Your Manuscript Again
Start by reading through your entire book without making any major changes – although you can, and should, make notes for yourself as you go along. Try to look at your book with fresh eyes—see how it flows, whether it holds your attention, what parts work well, what works less well, see if the pacing feels right, the twists are sharp yet believable, the dialogue still feels realistic yet not too flabby.
Step 3: Ask Yourself Honest Questions
Does the plot make sense? Are there any plot holes or inconsistencies?
Does the conflict build and resolve in a satisfying way?
Is the opening chapter good and striking, and are we introduced clearly to the protagonist?
Is the quest clear at the inciting incident? Is the decision to go on the quest at the end of Act One clear?
Does the story move at the right speed? Are there sections that drag or feel rushed? Is there enough tension at the key moments?
Are we sufficiently involved with your protagonist? Have you made them distinct, with a good and clear voice and set of motivations?
Are your secondary characters well developed and serving the narrative? Do their motivations and actions align with their personalities? Are there any underdeveloped or unnecessary characters? (Remember: just because you like a character may not be enough reason to keep them.)
Is the theme and tone consistent? Do they match your genre requirements?
Does the book have clear progressions, through the middle section of Act Two, with a good variety of action and reflection, moving into a dramatic phase which resolves during Act Three?
How does the book feel as it climaxes and resolves, both as an ending and as a whole piece?
One of the most necessary parts of revising is cutting. If a scene, subplot, or even a character doesn’t serve the story, be prepared to cut them, no matter how much you like it. You may know the writing adage “Kill your darlings.” This means the need to cut things you love that no longer work in the text. Don’t be afraid to make large changes. Cut scenes or chapters that don’t serve the story. Move sections to improve the flow. Be brutal, if you need to be.
Also be self-aware -as a writer. There might be a voice that just as you start to go through this process makes you freeze, stops you from making big changes, does not want you to let go of pieces. Learn to hear that voice, and (usually) resist it. Go with your initial gut feeling that things are not working so well.
You now have a new sequence of chapters, and you might need to do some fresh writing where you have noted gaps. This is good. It is usually better to write new work at this stage than to feel overcommitted to old work that does not fit any more. Realising that parts of your novel need a lot of work during revising is not a bad thing – quite the reverse. It shows you are seeing what the book needs, that you are able to spot a work’s flaws. That is entirely the right way to view it.
Tip: At regular intervals, save a copy of your novel, so that if you cut something from one draft, but later want to reinsert it, you can do so easily.
Step 4: Scene-Level Revision Once the big picture is in place, focus on individual scenes. Make sure each scene has a clear purpose, and check whether it moves the plot forward or deepens character development. Consider these questions:
Does each scene have a clear objective or conflict?
Does the scene contribute to the main plot or character arc?
Does the setting enhance the mood or tone of the scene?
Are the characters’ actions and dialogue motivated and consistent?
How does the scene relate to the quest, either directly or indirectly?
This stage might involve rewriting entire scenes to improve their emotional impact, tighten the pacing, or clarify the stakes.
My book, How To Write A Novel Chapter By Chapter, provides a complete guide to planning, structuring and writing chapters and scenes. See the link at the end of this article.
Step 5: Line-Editing. This term is commonly used in publishing to mean a late-phase editing process, in which the text is fixed at a sentence level. In publishing, structural and line edits are usually separate phases, but you might wish to do Steps 4 and 5 simultaneously. Now you are checking that your writing is clear, engaging, and free of distractions. Are your word choices precise and evocative? Are you relying on clichés? Are your sentences varied in length and structure, but also clear and readable? Does the dialogue feel authentic? Is it true to each character’s voice? Are there any unnecessary repetitions? Correct any grammatical errors. Ensure punctuation is consistent and correct.
You will not need to formally proofread your work at this stage, but try to make sure it is not heavy with typos and do perform a spell check. Remember: you are a professional and should behave as such.
Step 6. Get Some Feedback. This stage can potentially come before Step 5, but you should try sharing your manuscript with trusted readers, perhaps in a writing group or just a person whose opinion you trust. Remember: your mother might tell you “Everything is perfect, honey. I wouldn’t change a word.” If so, don’t get your mom to read your book for you. I am sure she’s great but find someone else, someone who is frank but fair.
I also write articles about how to find – and how to deal with – feedback regularly.
How To Become A Better Self-Editor
It’s hard to be objective about your own work. Step away from your manuscript for a while or get feedback from others to view your novel with fresh eyes. Don’t be too defensive about negative feedback or just fair, wide-ranging criticism. Be aware that it is always hard to hear negative or critical things about your work, but that does not mean they are not right. Focus on making improvements in an open, honest way, but be kind to yourself. Remember it’s okay that your first draft isn’t flawless. Be aware of the risk of perfectionism and endless tinkering. Remember also that there is no real thing as a perfect text. After all, once your book is sold to a publisher, they too will suggest changes and edits. That is an ongoing part of being published.
How To Write A Novel Chapter By Chapter available here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Novel-Chapter-Outlining-ebook/dp/B0DJ8TMVWL?ref_=ast_author_mpb
You can also check out our other services, Mentoring and Manuscript Review, on the links above.