Top tips for revising your novel manuscript

Once you have gathered enough outside feedback on your work to guide your novel revisions, it’s time to get down to the dirty business of revising your manuscript. Starting the revision process with a developmental edit report in hand will first help you get started and then will begin to illuminate the gaps that you were previously oblivious to in your own work.

Here’s a general process you can follow to help you through your first round of revisions:

1. Review the developmental edit report: Carefully read through the editor’s report and feedback to identify areas of the manuscript that require revision.
2. Read your work aloud: This will help you to hear the flow of your writing and to identify any awkward or unclear passages.
3. Make a plan: Create a plan to address the issues identified in the developmental edit report. Consider which issues are the most critical and prioritize accordingly.
4. Use a writing checklist: There are many different writing checklists available online. These checklists can help you identify common writing errors and ensure that your writing is clear and concise.
5. Re-read the manuscript: Re-read the manuscript with the editor’s feedback in mind. This will help you see your work with a fresh perspective.
6. Take a break: If you are struggling to see what edits you need to make, take a break from your writing and come back to it later with fresh eyes.

Editing your own writing can be challenging, but it is an essential skill for any writer. By practicing these strategies, you can improve your editing skills and produce high-quality writing.

Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.