6 Steps for Editing Your Novel

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We’re getting ready for Camp NaNoWriMo this July! This month, we’re talking to Wrimos who are using the Camp format to work on non-novel projects. Today, participant Lana Alam shares some of her tips for diving into editing work this summer:

If you have ever won NaNo, you probably have a pile of at least 50,000 words sitting in a folder on a computer collecting ‘dust’. Many of us finish a writing project with a huge sense of accomplishment–and then promptly forget about our work in progress. 

The business of editing a rough draft is often a daunting one. This is in part because we go back and read through our novels right away. Our response is often a resounding: “Oh dear” (or something a little more colorful). When you reach this stage, here are six steps that can help you keep editing:

1. Don’t edit a project right after you’ve finished it.

Ignore the temptation to read through your novel right away. Give it a month or two, but no longer than six, to get some distance from your work. Then, take a deep breath, grab your favorite beverage, and get comfy for a read-through. Yes, there will be gaping plot holes, problems galore, and probably a slight sinking feeling in your middle. Don’t let the problems get you down. Rather, focus on what is there–the parts of the story that do work.

2. Create an outline.

Take the time now to create an outline if you didn’t make one before you started writing. You can jot down points as you read if that makes it easier. Play around and see if you can fix any of the plot holes. Look at the common themes in your book. Do they move the story forward?

3. Break up the work into smaller chunks.

Break your story up into manageable sections or scenes and transfer these onto flash cards. Only jot down the important bits–you don’t want to write out your entire novel. Spread the cards out across a table, floor, or bulletin board. This will give you a better sense of your book. Plot holes and problems should become more obvious.

4. Pay attention to details.

Often when we write fast, as is the case with NaNoWriMo, we tend to focus mostly on the important central thread of the story. Pay attention to the parallel narratives. Do your supporting characters get enough page time? Take the time to flesh out their stories. Create the flash cards and add them into your novel.

5. Cut out the things that aren’t working.

Now is the time to cut the sections that don’t work. This is not always easy to do. Do you have secondary characters who add nothing to the book? Get rid of them. We want to ensure that the words that remain drive the novel forward. If there is a scene, character, or some dialogue that you absolutely love but which doesn’t belong in the novel any more, cut it and save it in a new document. Who knows, this little blurb may form the backbone of a completely new novel. Save it for the next round of NaNoWriMo.

6. Let the story grow into something new.

Lastly, you have to be ok with letting the story evolve as you edit. The story in our head definitely changes once we have it down on paper, and this is ok. Let it happen. Writing a novel is a process–and not a quick one at that. Take the time to figure out what works and doesn’t work for you. 

Novel writing is definitely not a one-size-fits all process. As long as you continue moving forward you are on the right track. Try to be patient. There are likely many, many edits and/or rewrites in your future regardless of the steps you take. Seeing your name on the cover of your printed novel at the end will make the whole journey one hundred percent worth it!


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Lana was born in South Africa and moved to Calgary (Alberta, Canada) to complete a BA in English. She now lives in Ontario with her husband, two amazing children and a fish. When Lana isn’t doing arts and crafts with her kids, playing PS4 with her husband, baking, or reading she can be found doing freelance copywriting and editing for her company L.A. Editing. She is a certified book dragon, loves all things fantasy, and is currently editing her first novel.

Top photo by Flickr user Sebastien Wiertz.