There are so many ways to revise a fiction novel. You don't have to look very hard to find articles and tips on revising and self-editing. I've yet to find information that's brand new. Most of the advice (including mine) is pretty standard when it comes to actually doing it.
So rather than go over what others have a thousand times before (and honestly trying to reiterate what better writers than me have explained in better ways), I'd like to focus a bit on the mentality, and some tips to help avoid revision overwhelm.
Starting revisions for the first time (or again for the first time) is a lot. There are so many parts of the story to think about, and it can be easy to get stuck in this place of not-good-enough. Especially once those notes build up.
But here's the thing: you wrote this book for a reason.
That reason is what is going to keep us going through all the necessary stages.
So the first question I like to think about before starting a read to revise is as follows.
Why do I want to tell this story?
The answer can be a simple sentence, or it can be many paragraphs. For myself, I mostly write to entertain, but I also write to help me understand the world. Some of my reasons for telling the stories I've written have been
because I want to read this book, but in order to read it I have to write it.
because I need to understand some emotions within myself.
because I want to share this part of myself with the world.
These are very simplified, but it helps to give an idea of what your reason could be. (It can be more in-depth than mine, too.) Just a sentence or so to remind you that you're not just writing (and re-writing) for the heck of it (although if you are, that's great too! Writing doesn't have to be to get published). Either way, there's a reason your story needs to be told.
Once I know why I want to tell a story, then I can start thinking about
What story am I trying to tell?
This one is sometimes easier than the previous one and sometimes harder. The stories I tell often include themes of belonging, finding yourself, making your own path, and facing your demons.
I try to narrow down the main themes or the main character arc to answer this question. (And I often don't know the answer here until the first draft is complete!) This will help me determine as I read if everything included in the manuscript is serving the story I'm trying to tell. Sometimes I find that I've added in pieces or subplots that don't connect to that story at all.
Knowing what I want the reader to leave with helps me to cut and paste. I become less attached to the words themselves and more concerned with what will best help me tell my story.
Next, I go deeper into character arc. I look at each character that shows up in the story and I ask myself
Where do I want these characters to start and end?
My stories are often character-driven, so this question is very important. I try to write a few sentences for each character such as, "Character A starts guarded and pushing everyone away. They need to address the abandonment wound in their past to realize that connection is what is going to heal them."
These answers will help me to see the characters' progression along with the plot progression. It can show me where (or even why) certain scenes aren't working. I can hone in on the characters' motivations and goals in each scene to further the plot.
Once I've reviewed and answered the above questions, I'll write the answers down somewhere so I can reference them as I read. Knowing why I wrote the story is what I'll come back to when my motivation starts to fade. It helps to create a clear path in my mind, a goal, to say, "You can do this. You want to do this. There are just a few adjustments to make first."
Then, I'll start reading. And as I read, I'll consider the pace or the flow of the story by asking
How does each scene lead into the next?
I like to make notes of my scenes as I go to get a feel for the plot arc. Often, one thing that can slow readers down is disconnected scenes. Each scene in the story should have a cause-and-effect feel. It should naturally lead toward the end of the story.
That means sometimes reworking why characters are doing what they're doing, or checking if certain scenes need to be included at all. The easiest way to fix most of these instances is to go back to the character arcs and determine
What their goal in the scene is.
What their motivation to that goal is.
How that mini-goal plays into their larger arc.
This will provide direction for how the scene needs to be adjusted. If their actions fit their motivation, then the scene is probably solid. But if they're doing something that works against their goal, they need to have a reason why they would shoot themselves in the foot.
Once my read is finished and I have all my notes, I like to make a revision plan. This is super helpful for me to avoid getting burnt out by all the needed adjustments that I might not know how to do yet.
My breakdown for this plan changes from book to book, but I like to start the list with things I know how to fix. Sometimes this might be at line-level (wording, clarity, etc.) even though there are developmental issues yet to handle. For me, it's important to get the revision ball rolling. Once I've started, it's easier for me to keep it going.
This method also clears up mind-space to think of new solutions to problems I couldn't figure out earlier. (Seriously, it's magical what getting looped thoughts out of my head does for my creativity.) Sometimes an answer comes to me super clearly once those know-how-to-fix-'ums are done. If not, I like to consult my writing community.
Talking through blocks has been one of the best ways I've fixed problems. Even if I don't end up using any of the brainstorming, it often opens up a new thought path I hadn't been able to consider before. I just get stuck in the box of, "But this is the most logical path, and that doesn't work." Once I'm there, it's hard for me to think outside that box. Talking through the issues breaks the box open.
The other benefit of community is having support. Inevitably, we're all going to hit snags with our stories. It's in those moments we can lean on our friends to remind us that we know what we're doing. That our words are important. That our stories are worth sharing.
So there you have it. It's not necessarily a road map, but I hope that there was something in here that can help revisions seem a little less intimidating.
If you're still looking for your writing community, please reach out to me. <3 I'm always happy to meet new writer friends! I'll be your cheerleader.
Happy writing,
Erin
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