Rewriting Your Novel: How to Approach Revisions Without Overwhelm

Revising a novel can feel like a mountain of impossible work, especially if you don’t have the right tools for the climb. Maybe you’ve finished your first draft and feel a sense of accomplishment (as you should!), only to realize how much work still lies ahead. Or maybe, like many writers, the mere thought of revisions fills you with so much dread you question whether you want to be a writer at all. Either way, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when staring down a two- or three-hundred-page manuscript that needs work. But here’s the truth: rewriting is where the magic happens.

Ernest Hemingway famously said, “The first draft of anything is shit.” He wasn’t wrong. Arguments can surely be made about the vast varying levels of crappy any first draft may be, but this is a moot point. Why? Because every novel must be revised. No exceptions. Every. Single. One. As far as Google and myself are aware, there has never been a novel traditionally published that has not first been revised, and the majority go through multiple rounds of revisions and edits before ever making it onto a bookshelf. I’m not saying this to depress or deter you; I’m simply stating a fact that you must accept if you want to be a published novelist.

The revision process has ended the careers of many writers before they’ve truly begun. While completing a first draft is challenging enough, the difference between being a writer and a published author often comes down to your willingness and ability to rewrite your work. And while the process can be messy, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Remember, you already wrote an entire novel; you can do anything!

While first drafts are about getting the story down, revisions are about shaping it into something even better. By breaking it down into manageable steps, you can navigate the revision process with more clarity and less stress.

Many writers approach revisions with the mindset that they’re fixing all the mistakes they made in the first draft. But thinking of rewriting as “fixing” can make the task feel daunting and critical. At worst, it can kill your passion for the story you’ve written. Instead, try reframing the process as a new, creative phase of storytelling.

In your first draft, you were focused on discovering the story—developing intriguing characters inside intricate settings. Now, you have the chance to shape that story with intention. This phase is your opportunity to ask bigger questions, deepen character motivations, and explore new ideas that may have emerged as you wrote the first draft. Rather than seeing revisions as punishment for not getting it “right” the first time, think of them as a chance to rediscover and refine your novel. (If you have a penchant for punishing your writerly self, like I do, please go back and reread that last sentence. Repeat until you’ve truly taken in and believe what it says. Revision is not punishment!)

In fact, many authors find that the story doesn’t truly emerge until they begin revisions. Robert Cormier, author of The Chocolate War, said, “The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say a brain surgeon. You can always do it better, find the exact word, the apt phrase, the leaping simile.” The key is to approach it with curiosity rather than dread. What new possibilities might you uncover in your characters or plot? How can you improve the themes or emotional depth of the novel?

Now, I want you to imagine that my next sentence is written in large, flashing neon lights, because if you struggle with revision this may be why! A common mistake new writers often make when starting revisions is focusing on small details, like line edits or grammar, before addressing bigger, structural issues. Please do not waste your time or brain space editing on the sentence level before you tackle large-scale story structure issues. Why fix grammar errors in sentences that may need to be rewritten or deleted? It is far more effective to start with the big picture and work your way down to the finer details.

First, take a step back and assess the overall structure of your novel. Ask yourself questions like:

• Is the pacing consistent, or are there sections that feel rushed or too slow?
• Does the plot make sense from start to finish, or are there gaps or inconsistencies?
• Are all subplots resolved by the end of the novel, or are some minor storylines left hanging?
• Are character arcs fully developed, with clear motivations and growth?

To help with this process, consider using a beat sheet or scene breakdown. These tools allow you to see your novel’s structure laid out clearly, making it easier to spot issues with pacing, plot holes, or unnecessary scenes. You may find that you need to cut entire chapters or move key scenes to improve the flow of the story. You may have to kill some darlings—sentences and scenes that you love and are proud to have written—that do not serve the story as a whole or help to advance the plot. Mourn these darlings, save them in a separate file to possibly be used elsewhere, and feel good that they were sacrificed for the good of your book!

Remember, at this stage, don’t worry too much about the mechanics of writing. Instead, focus on shaping the structure of the novel to ensure it holds together as a cohesive whole.

One of the most effective ways to avoid feeling overwhelmed by revisions is to break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Rather than trying to fix everything at once, focus on one aspect of your novel at a time.

For example, you might dedicate one revision pass to strengthening character development. In this phase, you’ll focus on ensuring each character has clear motivations, internal conflicts, and a meaningful arc. Afterward, you might move on to pacing, revising scenes to ensure they flow naturally and keep the reader engaged.

Breaking revisions into phases allows you to work methodically without feeling like you need to tackle every issue at once. It also gives you clear goals for each revision pass, helping you stay focused and productive.

Setting small, achievable goals can be incredibly helpful at this stage. For example, you might set a goal to revise the first three chapters for pacing this week, and next week, you’ll focus on improving dialogue. By taking it step by step, you’ll make steady progress without getting overwhelmed.

At times, you must embrace the revision rollercoaster. Rewriting can be an emotional process. There will be days when you’re excited by the changes you’re making, and other days when self-doubt creeps in, and you question everything about your story. This rollercoaster is completely normal.

To manage the ups and downs, it’s important to recognize when you need a break. After an intense revision pass, give yourself time to step away from the manuscript and gain some distance. When you return, you’ll be able to approach it with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective.

After completing a first draft, I always recommend that writers take a one to three-month break away from their manuscript before beginning major revisions. Taking a week or more break between each round of revision is also encouraged!

Remember, rewriting isn’t about perfection; it’s about making the story stronger. Revising takes patience, creativity, and perseverance, and each round of revisions brings your story closer to its final form. Whether you’ve made minor adjustments or overhauled entire chapters, you should celebrate your progress. You’ll never feel like your novel is perfect—no writer does. But if you’ve addressed the major concerns and the story feels cohesive, trust that you’ve done the work. Believe in yourself and the process.

Learn more about revising and editing here:

Revising and Editing for Creative Writers

Don’t Let Opinions Get You Down: Integrating Feedback During the Revision Process

If you’ve shared your novel draft with beta readers, critique partners, or editors, you’ve likely received a lot of feedback. And while that feedback is invaluable, it can also be overwhelming to sort through and figure out what changes to prioritize.

The first step is to look for patterns in the feedback. If multiple readers are pointing out the same issue—whether it’s a character’s motivation, a confusing subplot, or a pacing problem—it’s a sign that this area needs your attention. If more than one of your early readers points out the same or similar issues, it’s fair to assume your future readers would have similar issues. On the other hand, if only one person has an issue with a specific part of your novel, you can decide whether that’s something you want to address or not.

It helps to be mindful of who and how many people you share your work with in the early stages. Too much feedback may overwhelm and confuse you. Asking for feedback from the wrong people could be harmful to your story development. Make your critique partner and beta reader selections wisely.

• After you’ve collected all of your feedback from readers:
• List all of the suggested changes you’d like to consider.
• Select the ones you plan to integrate into your story.
• Categorize these changes based on things like character, plot lines, setting, etc.

Make a plan for how you’d like to tackle these changes and all of the adjustments you’ll need to make to your story.

Remember, not all feedback is created equal, and not all of it will align with your vision for the story. If you are sensitive to critical, or even constructive feedback, that’s okay. It can be hard to hear not so positive reviews of something you’ve worked really hard on. It’s great to know and accept this about yourself, but you must also know that, just like revision, critiques are always a part of (traditional) publishing. Even if you don’t use critique partners or beta readers, you will receive feedback on your work from agents and editors. If and when a critique stings, take a breath, give yourself a moment to feel mad or sad, then remember this: Anyone who is offering you feedback or critiques on your work is trying to help you (not hurt you) by making your novel or story the very best it can be!

Ultimately, you’re the author, and you need to stay true to what you want the novel to be. You do not have to change anything about your manuscript simply because someone suggested it. You always have the final say! Use feedback as a guide, but trust your instincts when it comes to making final decisions.