Prepping Your Novel for Editing

Hello, authors! Have you recently finished a novel? Congratulations! Take a moment to sit and savour the achievement of what you've just completed.

Did you do it? Great, I trust you.

Now, you’ve entered one of the authorial limbo zones that could trap you for a long time if you're not careful. That zone is none other than...

THE PRE-EDIT.

So, let's start out with a hard truth...

Your Novel is Not Perfect

Even if you've been editing as you go, I can guarantee that your first draft isn't perfect. While you should absolutely cherish it for what it is, before sending it off to your editor, you'll need to work through your second and third drafts.

Let’s address this upfront: Always work with an editor. Some authors, like Anne Rice, might have made it work without one, but when you compare her unedited works to the polished versions, the difference is clear. No matter how skilled a writer you are, an editor will help you shine brighter.

Now, about that limbo I mentioned earlier: Once you start reviewing your novel, you're bound to find areas that could be improved. I want to help you avoid the trap of endlessly rewriting over the next two years, postponing your actual publishing journey.

Steps for Revision

When revising my novel, I follow a five-step process, and I make a point not to go beyond these steps. After completing them, I move on, knowing I've done the necessary work.

1. The First Sweep: This is where I tackle the broad strokes—fixing major plot holes, adjusting pacing, and making sure the overall structure is solid.

2. The Dig Deep: Next, I go through my first set of notes and comments, paying close attention to the finer details like character development, dialogue, and narrative voice.

3. The Second Sweep: After addressing the deeper issues, I give it another broad review, looking for consistency, tightening up the language, and refining the pacing further.

4. The Dig Deeper: This round is all about taking another hard look at those subtle elements—ensuring the themes, tone, and subplots are cohesive and clear.

5. The Final Read: The last step is a careful, complete read-through, checking for any lingering inconsistencies, awkward phrasing, or missed details. Once this step is done, I’m ready to submit the manuscript or move on to the next phase.

This approach balances initial broad revisions with more focused, detailed edits before a final, thorough review.

Pro Tip: For each read, I avoid reading it myself. Instead, I have my computer or phone read it aloud to me. This technique helps me catch far more errors than I would otherwise!

Your Editor will Thank You

I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want when I finally gather my draft to send off to my editor is to have easily noticed spelling or plot errors still hanging around.

By following these five revision steps before you send your manuscript off, your editor will be able to focus on the real work—polishing your story—and you’ll save yourself from running up that editing tab more than necessary.

Reaching this point also helps you avoid becoming overly attached to your final draft. Trust me, your editor will request changes, and you don’t want to end up in a heap on the floor when they suggest cutting a scene you thought was crucial. The edits are part of the process, and they’re there to make your story stronger, not diminish it.

Make it easier on both yourself and your editor. With these steps in place, you'll be well on your way to a polished, winning novel ready for publication in no time!