A structured approach to revision

Ah, the joy of typing ‘The End’ on your manuscript, only to realise it’s just the beginning. It’s akin to climbing up a mountain, finally reaching the peak, and realising there’s another, slightly scarier-looking mountain range behind it. That, my friends, is the mountain of revision.

Recognising the need for revision

Writing, they say, is rewriting. But how do you know when you need to start the rewriting process? The answer is simple – when you’ve finished your first draft. It’s important to remember that no masterpiece was ever created in the first go. Even Shakespeare needed a second draft (probably).

But before you dive into the deep end, take a breather. Getting some distance from your work is crucial before you start the revision. You’ve been living and breathing these characters and their world for so long, you need to clear your head before you can objectively view your work.

Setting up a revision plan

Think of revision as a journey – you wouldn’t start without a roadmap, would you? Similarly, a revision plan acts as your roadmap. It guides you, prevents you from getting lost in the labyrinth of your imagination, and most importantly, ensures you don’t end up revising the same chapter for two months while neglecting the rest of your manuscript.

Your revision plan should include what you’re going to revise, how you’re going to do it, and when you’re going to do it. This could be as simple as a checklist or as detailed as a spreadsheet tracking your progress chapter by chapter.

Approaches to revision

There are countless ways to approach revision, but we will focus on three specific techniques that can provide structure and efficiency to your process.

Reverse outlining your novel

Ever thought about writing your novel’s outline... after you’ve already written the book? It sounds backward, but it’s an incredibly effective way to see your story from a bird’s-eye view. Reverse outlining can help identify plot holes, pacing issues, and character inconsistencies that you might have missed during the writing process.

💡 Read more about: Reverse outlining your novel

Examining character interactions

Characters are the heart and soul of your story. But how do they interact with each other? What does that say about them, their relationships, and the world they inhabit? By focusing on character interactions during your revision, you can deepen your characterisation and enrich your story.

💡 Read more about: Examining the interactions between characters

Paragraph-level editing

While your first few rounds of revision might focus on the bigger picture (plot, characters, structure), there comes a time when you need to zero in on the details – and that’s where paragraph-level editing comes in. This involves refining language, clarifying ideas, and ensuring every word, sentence, and paragraph serves a purpose.

💡 Read more about: Doing a paragraph-level edit of your manuscript

Revising with purpose and patience

Revision is a marathon, not a sprint – and sometimes, it feels more like a triathlon. It requires patience, perseverance, and copious amounts of tea (or coffee, if that’s your poison). So keep your end goal in mind, take breaks when you need to, and remember that every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your finished manuscript.

Embracing the revision adventure

Revision can seem daunting, but a structured approach and a little bit of elbow grease can transform your rough first draft into a polished piece of art. So go forth, brave writer, and tackle that mountain of revision. And remember, the view from the top is always worth it.