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.
Yes, please!
I’m going to be writing the last of the five and then revising them all, so a step by step would help tons!
Thanks.
Hi Holly
First I would like to thank you for creating this fantastic resource for all of the budding novelists and seasoned writers out here. It has been a great source of information and encouragement. So Thank You!
I am currently working on my first novel. I am, to be honest, going at it blindly. I find myself revising as I am going along – which of course is probably a big no-no! But, when I find myself with a bit of a block as to what exactly is going to happen next, I re-read the previous chapters and revise as I go.
I would really like to hear more about your methods
Thanks!
Heck, yeah! I’d love more direction in this area.
Yes, this would be awesome! Would it be available seperately, like a one time course, or would you have to be part of the How to Think Sideways course? I can’t really afford the HTTS one, but a singular one on revision is definately something I’d invest in.
yes!
Dear Holly,
As an editor for an e-publishing house, I have referred several of my authors to your One-Pass Revision; yet, considering many of the submissions are from “first time writers,” I think something in greater depth and more step-by-step would prove invaluable as a reference. Thanks.
I’d be very interested.
Yes! I am great with the first draft part but the one-pass just left me wondering if I’d gone farther afield! I’d love more information.
The complete revision course would be a great learning process to study and absorb. Please do present it, Holly. Thanks!
-Blair
Dear Holly,
Yes indeed this would be most helpful! Having reviewed a number of the comments posted this appears to be a very popular request. I am currently working on my first novel — well, I have started numerous projects that got to the proverbial “35 page” status…and then ppffffft! Much like you have described some of your past frustrations. At any rate, I have been working on “Cotton Country” for 8 months and am at about 120K+ words; however I feel like I am only roughly halfway there and I don’t exactly want this to be an epic novel. As such, it will require a great deal of editing, revision, deletion, etc. And having a step-by-step process or guide on how to go about this would be awesome! Keep up the great work. Your words of encouragement for us fledgling wanna-be authors is priceless.
Thanks,
Mike
I would be interested in the step by step revision workshop. I’m currently on my 6th revision, and working with an editor, but I would love to see the step by step, and perhaps learn how to condense the process, so I don’t have to go through 6 revisions. It gets bad when you are tired of rereading your own work!
I am very much interested in learning your old form of revision.
Kind regards,
Cris
Yup, sounds like just what I need, or should I say have needed for the last year!
I’d love to hear what you have to say.
Hi Holly! I’ve been following your blog and your lessons for five years now, and your lessons are one of the biggest reasons I was ever able to write something coherent and worth reading. I’ve finished my second novel in February and it’s taken me six months just to edit the first act. Please do a course on editing! I would love to hear what you have to say.
I’m not sure if I should be taking the Think Sideways course or the How to Revise course. I have two novel WIPs, neither really complete. I don’t expect anyone but me to be able to answer that; I’m going to have to look over the Sideways course more closely.
But I do think its time I got some direction and help with my intended career. Now.
Thank you!
Hi Holly: I am only on lesson 5 in the Think Sideways course but would be very interested in learning how to revise and make better all writing I do. So Yes, I would be interested in your new course. I am learning so much in Think Sideways. THANK YOU for all you do.
Oh yes please.
I have always struggled with the revision process, especially on novel-length projects. I am currently winding up a big re-visioning of a novella I wrote a year ago, bringing it up to novel length and fixing a ton of logic problems and plot holes, so I *think* I know how to revise, but I would love to see your take on the matter. I have studied your One-Pass Revision and it didn’t help me out in this case.
Yeah that would be a good technique to know
I would love to have a workshop!!!
Definitely, I would love to know the process you used when you were editing your first few novels. I’ve got a checklist that I’ve started for myself, based on what I know my weaknesses are, and I used that as I read each scene doing the One Step process, but I feel like my checklist could be more complete.
I would love a course about this. I did pretty well revising my last novel but I’m sure you have lots of little methods to streamline the process. The One-Pass isn’t working for me yet.
Yes, please!
I’d be interested. That’s where I’m a bit stuck right now. Revising. 🙂
I’d be interested too.
Yes, Holly, I would love a course on how to revise my first novel. I have three novels that are in some stage of revision, but I keep getting stuck about 2/3rds of the way through. A “tiny step” process would be such a big help.
Julie
I would loooveee to!!!
Assuredly, yes. Please. I am just on the verge of finishing my novel (before school starts in the fall) and hope to do revisions on it during the December break. I was going to do the one-pass method for the revisions, but if there’s something in greater depth available, I’d be interested–though it would also depend on the price point.
Just finished my 1st draft that took me a few years to do. I have young kids and other distractions. Needless to say, any step by step help like this would be wonderful!
I would be interested in hearing more about this program.
I would be very interested in a class like this
I would be interested.
Yes, I need help. I too was a nurse until my knees gave out on me–but since grade 3 wanted to be a writer. Since I can barely walk, I have no more excuses but to sit on my ass and write. I’ve managed to publish 9 shortstories, articles and essays, and I am struggling with my first novel (not counting all the starts that I burned 15 years ago in a ‘I’ll never write again for as long as I live!” fit! I like your style, I like what you have to say, and how encouraging you are. Bring on the courses!
Yes, please. I’ve just received a request to see my full manuscript so I could really do with something like that.
I would be VERY interested.
If I ever finish a novel, then yes, certainly.
As it is, I’ve got a short story I wrote half a year ago that I’m tempted to throw out and start again… but if I could not do that and still save it I’d be much happier doing that.
Yes, I would be interested.
I would LOVE a revision course. I have a lot of trouble with revision – it’s hard for me to keep track of everything I need to be thinking about, and I’m never sure where to start.
Yes, I would be interested in a step-by-step revision course. It’s going to be hard enough to hack up my novel, without having a clue on how to do it!
Oh absolutely. This is the one biggest problem I have. Well, okay, *one of* 😀
Yes please!
Yes, yes, yes. I have several of your books and they’ve been a great help.
Yup
Yes, yes, yes. I’m currently in possession of a massive manuscript with a lot in it that doesn’t need to be in it and lacking in the structure and central idea that would make it cohere and work. I think there are a ton of people who could benefit from your advice on how to deal with these issues. You don’t mess around and you know what you’re talking about…in our game a lot of people mess around and a lot of people don’t know what they’re talking about. Do it!
I’d love to see a course like that. Of course I don’t really have the money to invest in a course right now (I’m in the process of moving out on my own and that=poorness) but I know I would take it later on.
Yes, I would be interested.
Yeah I would like to hear what you have to say too. 🙂
I think the course is a great idea.
I have not gone through the side ways program, but yes any and all help. I am an IT guy and work on many projects, most geeks have no clue on project management. So I am breaking my book down into small parts and attacking it as a project. So explaining in a more detailed way would help me for sure.