{backstage pass} my revision plan

I’m deep in the process of revising my second novel, and here’s my revision game plan.

Whether you’re in the revision process of your book, or are still in the first draft stage, having a game plan for what’s next in the back of your mind can be helpful!

Step 1: Pause.

I sort of skipped this stage this time around (in its natural place as STEP ONE), however I did pause as like step three, so it counts. 😂

When I finish a first draft, I like to pause and let everything settle. That means I don’t look at the book at all for a few weeks. I let it breathe.

Step 2: Print & read.

I print out the whole dang thing and read it. I usually take notes in a notebook or on the printed pages. I DON’T go into the document and change anything at this point. I’m just reading.

I ask myself:

What’s working? What isn’t working? Where am I bored? Where does the pacing work and where does it feel off? Where do I mention things that I don’t follow up on or close the loop on? Where do I mention things that I later contradict, or changed my mind about?

Step 3: Get feedback.

I did this out of order this time around, too, but getting feedback is an essential part of revision. As a writer, I have blind spots for my own writing. There are things I intended that I won’t know if they land for someone else until someone else reads it.

In this case, my Writing Brave editor Sam Keller read the manuscript and then we had a long phone call where she told me what she thought.

Step 4: Write a reverse outline.

While I noodle on my own notes, and the feedback I got, I also write a reverse outline.

A reverse outline is exactly what it sounds like: I write an outline in reverse (i.e., after I’ve written the thing instead of before; not ending to beginning). I scan through the book chapter by chapter and I write an outline of what currently happens in each chapter.

While I’m doing this, I also keep notes about whom I need to talk to, the questions I need to ask them, and any other research that’s required. For this book, I have notes for my friend Nadia who lives in Seattle, football questions for my dad, medical questions for a physician client to apply to a character’s medical situation, and a few more.

Step 5: Write my revision game plan.

At this point, I decide A) what feedback I received that I’m going to take, and what I’m going to leave; and B) what major changes in the book I’m going to make.

I write these into the reverse outline so I have a plan for what needs to be revised in each chapter. And yes, some entire chapters will get deleted and I’ll need to write some new ones. Some need major revisions and some need very little.

That’ll get me to draft two.

P.S. Want my feedback on your first draft? I’m currently scheduling consult calls for my developmental editing service, First Draft Feedback. Check out the service and book your free consult call here.