The Difference Between Revising and Editing

Before we dive in, it’s important to understand the distinction between revising and editing:

·         Revising is about making big-picture changes to your story—this includes plot structure, character development, pacing, and theme. It’s where you reimagine scenes, strengthen character arcs, and address major story issues.

·         Editing, on the other hand, focuses on the finer details—like sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and word choice. This stage is all about polishing your prose.

For most writers, it’s best to revise first, then edit. Start by focusing on the big picture, and once you’re happy with your story as a whole, move on to polishing the language and fixing technical errors.

Step 1: Take a Break

One of the most valuable things you can do after finishing your first draft is to take a break. Set the manuscript aside for a few weeks or even a month if you can. This allows you to return to your story with fresh eyes and a more objective perspective. You’ll be better equipped to spot problems and inconsistencies when you’ve had some distance from the work.

Step 2: Read the Entire Draft From Start to Finish

When you’re ready to dive into revisions, start by reading through your entire draft in one or two sittings, if possible. Resist the urge to start editing or making changes during this initial read-through. Instead, focus on absorbing the story as a whole.

Take Notes: Keep a notebook or document handy and jot down any major issues you notice, such as:

• Plot holes

• Inconsistent character behavior

• Pacing issues (slow or rushed sections)

• Unclear motivations or goals

• Areas where tension drops or stakes feel low

This read-through gives you an overview of what’s working and what needs improvement, allowing you to create a roadmap for your revisions.

Step 3: Revise for Structure and Story

Once you’ve identified the major issues with your story, it’s time to start revising. This stage is where you’ll make the biggest changes, so don’t be afraid to rewrite entire scenes, cut unnecessary sections, or add new material where needed.

Here are a few key areas to focus on during the revision process:

1. Strengthen Your Story Arc

Does your novel have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Ensure that your story arc is strong and that the plot develops logically. Check for the following:

• Conflict and stakes: Are they introduced early enough? Do they escalate throughout the story?

• Pacing: Does the story drag in places? Are there scenes that feel rushed?

• Climax and resolution: Is the climax satisfying? Does it resolve the main conflict and provide closure?

2. Deepen Character Development

Take a close look at your characters, particularly your protagonist. Do they have clear goals and motivations? How do they change over the course of the story? Make sure your characters are fully realized, with distinct personalities, strengths, flaws, and desires.

• Character arcs: Ensure that your protagonist has a meaningful arc. Do they grow, learn, or change in some way by the end of the story?

• Secondary characters: Are your supporting characters fully developed, or do they need more depth? Make sure they serve a purpose in the story and aren’t just there to fill space.

3. Cut Unnecessary Scenes and Filler

As writers, we sometimes fall in love with scenes or dialogue that don’t really add to the story. Now is the time to cut anything that doesn’t serve the plot, develop characters, or increase tension.

• Ask yourself: Does this scene move the story forward? If the answer is no, it’s probably time to let it go.

Step 4: Self-Editing the Details

After revising for story structure and character development, it’s time to shift your focus to the details. Self-editing can be tricky, but with patience and the right techniques, you can sharpen your prose and catch most errors.

Here are some self-editing tips if you can’t afford to hire a professional editor:

1. Eliminate Redundancies

One of the easiest ways to tighten your writing is to eliminate redundant phrases, unnecessary adjectives, and repetitive information. Ask yourself if each word and sentence adds value. If not, cut it.

Example:

• Redundant: “She whispered softly.”

• Improved: “She whispered.”

2. Use Active Voice

Passive voice can make your writing feel weak and indirect. Whenever possible, use active voice to create stronger, more engaging sentences.

Example:

• Passive: “The book was read by him.”

• Active: “He read the book.”

3. Vary Sentence Structure

Too many sentences of the same length and structure can make your writing feel monotonous. Pay attention to sentence variety—mix shorter sentences with longer, more complex ones to create rhythm and flow.

4. Show, Don’t Tell

One of the most common writing tips is to “show, don’t tell.” Instead of telling the reader how a character feels, show it through their actions, thoughts, or dialogue.

Example:

• Telling: “She was nervous.”

• Showing: “Her hands trembled, and she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans.”

5. Watch for Overused Words

We all have crutch words—those words or phrases we tend to overuse without realizing it. Common offenders include “just,” “really,” “very,” and “that.” Use the search function in your document to find and cut these unnecessary words.

6. Read Your Draft Aloud

Reading your novel aloud is a fantastic way to catch awkward sentences, clunky dialogue, and repetitive language. It forces you to slow down and pay attention to the rhythm and flow of your writing.

Step 5: Use Free or Affordable Editing Tools

If hiring a professional editor isn’t in the budget, there are plenty of free or affordable editing tools that can help you polish your draft:

• Grammarly: A popular grammar and spell-checking tool that can help you catch errors and improve sentence clarity.

• Hemingway App: Highlights complex sentences, passive voice, and unnecessary adverbs, helping you simplify and strengthen your writing.

• ProWritingAid: An all-in-one editing tool that checks grammar, style, readability, and more.

• AutoCrit: Focuses on fiction-specific editing by analyzing your writing for pacing, dialogue, and word choice.

These tools aren’t a replacement for a human editor, but they can help you spot common issues and refine your manuscript before submitting it to agents or self-publishing.

Step 6: Get Feedback from Beta Readers

Once you’ve revised and self-edited your draft, it’s helpful to get feedback from beta readers—trusted friends, fellow writers, or members of writing groups who can give you honest critiques. Beta readers can provide valuable insights into aspects of your story you might have missed, such as pacing, character development, and overall coherence.

Tip: Provide your beta readers with specific questions. For example, ask them about plot clarity, character likability, or whether certain scenes were engaging or confusing.

Conclusion: Embrace the Process

Revising and editing the first draft of a novel can be a long and sometimes frustrating process, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It’s where your story truly comes to life, and where your hard work as a writer pays off. Whether you’re revising on your own or enlisting the help of beta readers and editing tools, remember that every pass through your manuscript brings you one step closer to a finished novel.

Assignment: Revise your novel.

Take your time, embrace the imperfections of the first draft, and trust the process. After all, writing is rewriting—and your novel will be stronger because of it.

How do you approach revising and editing your drafts? Share your tips in the comments below!

Now that you have completed your first novel, its time to decide what to do with it. You can try publishing traditionally or independent publishing.