Do you need to know more about how to revise your novel?

My daughter took Think Sideways. Wrote her first novel. Is working on revising it now.

And she said, “You know, I sort of get the One-Pass Revision, but I wish you had something a lot more in-depth for people who still aren’t sure which parts of what they’ve written are good, and which parts need to go. I want to have the whole thing broken down into tiny steps.”

Other people have said the same thing.

The One-Pass Revision is the way I revise my novels now. But now, I know how to look at characters, decide which need to stay and which need to go, and which need to be folded into other characters. I know where my writing was good and where it was bad. I can spot failed plotlines. I can identify the holes where description, conflict, and backstory should go.

When I was just getting started, my revision process was equally grueling, but different. I didn’t know the things I know now, so my process didn’t take anything for granted.

I still remember how I revised back then, and I wouldn’t mind teaching that method.

I’m just not sure how many people would actually want to spend three or four months doing a really intensive revision on their novels.

If this is something that would interest you, post here and let me know.

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By Holly

Novelist, writing teacher, on a mission to reprint my out-of-print books and indie-publish my new ones.

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Kara
Kara
13 years ago

Yes, please!

Jacqui
13 years ago

I’d be interested too 🙂
I have a 66,000+ NaNo novel that needs editing.

Deb
Deb
13 years ago

Sure would be interested!

Davita
Davita
13 years ago

I’d love something about this as well. It’s such an overwhelming process.

Emily Pritchard
Emily Pritchard
13 years ago

I’d love to take part in this!

Katie
13 years ago

I would be interested in a course like that. I have several NaNo novels that I would like to revise.

Steff
Steff
13 years ago

Definitely interested ….

Corie J
Corie J
13 years ago

oh, very much so! I’ve been spending about that long on revisions anyway, and not always sure what I’m doing ;>

Laurel
Laurel
13 years ago

Yes indeed!

Stacey
Stacey
13 years ago

I would be very much interested in this as well. I’d be open to any suggestions you can provide to make the revising process less painful!

Sara
Sara
13 years ago

I could really use a thorough guide ! So it’s a ‘Yes, please’ from me 🙂

Meghan Scott
Meghan Scott
13 years ago

I would be interested, depending on if I could afford it. Money as no object — absolutely!!! =)

Laurel
Laurel
13 years ago

Yes please!

Rene
Rene
13 years ago

I am very interested! I definitely have trouble revising.

Faldwin
Faldwin
13 years ago

Definitely, this is something that I would be very interested in. I’ve had a rough draft of my novel sitting on a shelf for almost two years now.

Deb
Deb
13 years ago

I’d definitely be interested in a course like this.

ceecee
ceecee
13 years ago

Holly–Absolutely yes! I’m revising right now and wishing for a good, detailed guide to the process that will take me out of emotion/creative focus and into analysis/review focus. Thanks again!

Judy
Judy
13 years ago

I’d be interested in hearing more about the course. thanks.

Amy
Amy
13 years ago

I would be very interested in learning about something like this. Over the years i had started projects, but because of my lack of knowledge concerning writting books, many of these projects died before anything could be made of them. I feel this would benefit someone like me struggling to bring old projects back to life.

Michelle
Michelle
13 years ago

I’m a firm believer that there is no such thing as good writing — just good rewriting. And anything that can help me get there sounds like a valuable use of my time. I’d love to see the course outline.

Carradee
13 years ago

*raises hand*

I’m liking the notecard method for identifying what scenes need revision (using highlighters and a black permanent marker to mark the top edge to color-code my white notecards). I’m now stuck with a stack of notecards and an empty space in my novel that needs filling and have to figure out what subplot I can put in there.

I think seeing a guide to revision for n00bs would help me, because I’ve noticed that writer’s block means something’s wrong. Being stuck therefore means I’m missing something.

Mary Germano
Mary Germano
13 years ago

This is absolutely something I need!

Gillian G.
Gillian G.
13 years ago

I would be very interested!

Olga Oliver
Olga Oliver
13 years ago

A step-by-step organized revision process (no matter the length) would be great. I’d like to review one. Thanks.
Olga

Paula
13 years ago

Count my vote.

Carey
Carey
13 years ago

Yes, for the love of all that is good in this world, you must do this!

Casey
13 years ago

I’d definitely be interested!

J.C. Hay
13 years ago

I would be interested in this too – please keep us posted!

Leah
13 years ago

Me, too!

Alley
13 years ago

Yup, even though I’m mega behind on the other class. Work has been busy and still writing my first draft. I’m printing it all out though to be easier to review. Loathe reading online. Still, I look forward to it.

Abby
Abby
13 years ago

Oh yes, I could really use some more in-detail help with revision!

Sarah
Sarah
13 years ago

Yes! Please! Currently working on revising a middle-reader novel and could really use some fresh insights. Thank you!!

Colette C
Colette C
13 years ago

Yes, I’m interested. I’m in the process of writing my first novel but already I’m dreading the revising bit.

And thanks so much for all your wonderful support…

Marjorie Liu
Marjorie Liu
13 years ago

Count me in!

Willa
Willa
13 years ago

I would LOVE to take a course like this!

Sara
13 years ago

I’ve spent more time revising my novel–or trying to, at any rate–than I took to write it. So, yes, I need all the help I can get!

Rachel
Rachel
13 years ago

Yes please, this would be wonderful!

Lisa Fioresi
Lisa Fioresi
13 years ago

sounds great-tell where to sign up!

Jeanie
Jeanie
13 years ago

I would be interested in it.

Zach
13 years ago

I’d be interested in this too. I’ve written one novel to date, and the thought of going back to revise is filling me with creeping dread. Needs to happen, I know, but how do I know what to keep and what to cut and what to expand, etc?

Lisa
Lisa
13 years ago

Yes, please, very interested. I’ve never revised anything larger than a short story, so any guidance would be welcome.

Mike T.
Mike T.
13 years ago

I’m glad you remember that some of us are just starting out.
I have abandoned two “finished” books out of frustration…
Yes, of course.

Justina
Justina
13 years ago

I think this would be a useful course. It’s not something that’s out there and readily available. There are tons of courses to try and help you write your novel, but what do i do when it’s done?

Cameron
13 years ago

Yup – I am working on revising one now, and I am not expert enough for the one-pass method yet, I don’t think. I am halfway through pass one but realizing I need to do more organization, time flows and consistency things, and *gasp* add a subplot or two to add more to the story…

Sharon
Sharon
13 years ago

Very Interested

Tami
13 years ago

If I vote in all caps, does it count twice? And maybe once more for an exclamation point?

YES, PLEASE!

Teresa
Teresa
13 years ago

Yes, please! 🙂

Meghan
Meghan
13 years ago

Yes, count me in! 😀

Sarah
13 years ago

I vote yes as well! Revising my first novel was hellish, and I did horribly at it, to boot. The whole process just seems too big, and I gave up. Even revising short stories, I feel like I lose my way. I haven’t gotten to the one-pass lesson in HtTS, but I know I’ll want as much info on this topic as I can get.

Jim Mitchel
13 years ago

I would be interested as well!

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