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Revising Your Novel: Polishing Your First Draft

Congratulations, storytellers! You’ve completed your first draft—an incredible milestone on your writing journey. Now it’s time to move into the next phase: revising. If drafting is about getting words on the page, revising is where your story truly takes shape. It’s the opportunity to refine your ideas, strengthen your narrative, and bring your characters to life.


Why Revising Matters

The revision process allows you to transform your rough draft into a polished, engaging story that resonates with readers. It’s your chance to fine-tune the structure, enhance your character development, and ensure your themes shine through.


Key benefits of revising:


  1. Strengthening Your Narrative

    Revising helps you identify plot inconsistencies and pacing issues that may have slipped through in the drafting stage.

  2. Enhancing Characters

    You can deepen character motivations and ensure their actions align with their personalities and goals.

  3. Refining Language

    Revision gives you the chance to polish your prose and eliminate redundant words.


The Revision Process: Step by Step

Feeling overwhelmed about where to start? Here’s a step-by-step approach to tackling your revisions effectively.


1. Take a Break

Before diving into revisions, step away from your manuscript for a few days or weeks. This allows you to return with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective.


2. Read Through Your Draft

Read your manuscript from start to finish without making changes. Take notes on issues like pacing, consistency, and character arcs. Focus on the big picture before fine-tuning details.


3. Revise in Layers

Tackle revisions in layers, starting with the most significant elements first:


  • Big Picture: Plot structure, pacing, and theme.

  • Characters: Depth, consistency, and relationships.

  • Scenes: Clarity, conflict, and emotional impact.

  • Prose: Grammar, style, and readability.


Get Support with Writing Groups and Beta Readers

Revising can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Story Writing Camps offer a supportive community and expert guidance to help you navigate revisions with confidence. Through hands-on workshops and personalized support, you'll gain the tools needed to refine your story effectively. Learn more and sign up here.


Looking Ahead

Once your revisions are complete, it’s time to prepare for the final stages: editing and polishing. Next week, we’ll explore the editing process and how to prepare your manuscript for publication.


Until then, happy revising!

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