You Finished Your First Draft—Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Novel’s Next Chapter

Congratulations! You’ve crossed the finish line of your first draft—an accomplishment many dream of, but few achieve. I hope you are beaming with pride, but after the adrenaline fades, you might find yourself wondering: What now?

Finishing a first draft can feel like stepping out of a dark theater into bright sunlight—you’re disoriented, squinting against the glare, not quite sure where to go next. You’ve been immersed in the world of your story, and now, with the final words on the page, you find yourself blinking into the unknown.

“The End” of a first draft is both exhilarating and disorienting. You’ve poured your heart into a story, only to realize the journey isn’t over. In fact, the real work often begins here. This guide will walk you through the next steps, from celebrating your achievement, to tackling revisions and gaining confidence in your work.

1. Celebrate Your Achievement

Before diving into edits, pause and honor your accomplishment. Writing a novel—even a messy first draft—is no small feat. I remember feeling a surge of pride when I finished my first novel draft. I had left a successful teaching career to pursue writing, carrying the weight of expectation, and self-doubt. Coming from humble beginnings with no artistic lineage, I often battled an inner voice whispering, “People from where you come from don’t write books.” But I did. And so did you. That deserves celebration!

When I completed my draft, I celebrated by applying to my first-ever writing retreat, which became a turning point in my writing life. One of my favorite authors was there. I was stoked to spend five days on a farm in Vermont with one of my writing idols. While meeting her was thrilling, she didn’t turn out to be very helpful as a writing mentor. At the same retreat, it was another writer—Writers.com instructor Sarah Aronson—who truly changed my life. Sarah became the mentor and cheerleader I needed, offering both critical feedback and unwavering support. She also turned out to be a lifelong friend. 

Reflecting on that time, I wish I had celebrated more of the small victories along the way. Sarah always says, “Buy yourself some flowers and chocolate!” Celebrate every win, no matter how small. It helps you appreciate every step of the process, and fuels the journey ahead.

Writing Exercise: Make a list of all your writing milestones, big or small, from completing a tough scene, to overcoming writer’s block. Choose one to celebrate today. What small ritual can you create to honor your progress?

2. Step Away From the Draft

Resist the urge to dive straight into revisions. Distance provides perspective. Whether it’s a few weeks, or a couple of months, stepping back allows your subconscious to process the story.

I didn’t give myself enough space after finishing my first draft. While still writing the middle and end, I kept revising the beginning. This made the draft messy, and hard to visualize as a whole. I wasted time and words because I was afraid to take a break. If I could go back, I’d tell myself: Do not revise while drafting. After the draft is complete, take a 2-3 month break before starting revisions. During the break, start a new project or focus on a non-writing hobby, and return with fresh eyes. Giving yourself space from your words can make a huge difference in your mindset once it’s time to tackle your revision. 

Give yourself permission to disconnect. As Ernest Hemingway famously said, “The first draft of anything is shit.” This blunt truth serves as a reminder to detach from perfectionism, step back, and view your work with fresh eyes. When you read it again, pretend you’ve never read it before. Be a reader of your own work. 

Writing Exercise: During your break, journal about your creative process. Reflect on what you learned while drafting, and what surprised you about your story.

3. Reread With Fresh Eyes

When ready, approach your draft like a curious reader, not its creator. Change the font, print it out, or read aloud to shift your perspective. Take notes on:

• Plot inconsistencies
• Pacing issues
• Character development
• Thematic threads

Rereading my first novel draft was a rollercoaster. Some scenes made me proud; others made me cringe. I was overly critical, focusing on flaws instead of building on what worked. I spent too much time trying to revise what wasn’t working to make it fit into my narrative, rather than focusing on the parts that were strong. Now after I finish a first draft, I focus on nurturing the strong parts, and let them guide the revisions.

Writing Exercise: As you read through your first draft, highlight passages that spark pride or excitement. Jot down why these sections work. Use them as anchors when revising weaker parts.

4. Identify the Big Issues

Revision isn’t about perfecting sentences. Don’t waste precious time editing grammar and punctuation on sentences that may not remain in later drafts. Instead, focus on the structural integrity of your story. Look at: 

• Structure: Does the plot have a clear arc? Are your subplots serving your main plot? Are all plot lines resolved by the end?
• Character Growth: Are motivations authentic? Does your protagonist go through a significant change? 
• Conflict and Stakes: Is there enough tension? Are conflicts resolved in plausible ways? Is the ending of your story earned? 
• Theme: What is your story truly about? Does your story accomplish your thematic goals?

I remember facing the overwhelming task of trying to revise my first draft. I had a strong and original premise, which sounds like a dream, but it was actually intimidating. I doubted whether I was a skilled enough writer to do the story justice. I even considered handing the idea over to someone I felt was more qualified. (Glad I didn’t do that!) After some reflection, I realized that just by writing that first draft, and studying the craft of fiction, I had already grown as a writer. Writing has a steep learning curve, and I was simply at the beginning. The key was to keep going—to keep writing, reading, and learning.

As Anne Lamott says in Bird by Bird, “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.” Embrace that truth as you uncover the heart of your story. And, if it’s not already obvious, the heart of your story will be found during revision. 

Writing Exercise: Create a reverse outline. Summarize each chapter in a sentence. This helps spot gaps in structure, and pacing.

5. Facing the Harsh Realities of Post-Draft Life

After the initial high of draft completion, reality hits: What do I do now? My draft felt overwhelming, and I often thought about quitting. I felt like every time I changed one thing, I’d have to go back, and adjust fifty details. It was exhausting and confusing. 

The process of revising so many characters and plot lines felt bigger than me. I felt insecure about my abilities and my perseverance. But instead of giving up, I reminded myself that writing is a process of growth. Every day I showed up to write was a win, and made me a better writer. Eventually, I realized that I didn’t have to be perfect—I just had to keep going. Your dedication as a writer is part of your success. If the process of writing a novel was easy, everyone with a story to tell would be a novelist. 

Writing Exercise: Write a letter to yourself from your future self who has completed revisions. What advice do they give? What encouragement do they offer?

6. Plan Your Revisions

With notes in hand, create a roadmap:

• Stage 1: Big-picture revisions – These include overall plot structure, subplots and character arcs. 
• Stage 2: Chapter-level edits – Focus on pacing, dialogue and setting. 
• Stage 3: Line edits – This should always be last, and where you focus on grammar and style. 

During this stage, I found it helpful to experiment with different revision techniques: rewriting opening chapters in both first and third person, side writing from different characters’ perspectives, creating playlists to set the mood, vision boards to visualize settings and characters, and even a Carrie Mathison-style plot wall with post-it notes to see the story as a whole. (If you ever watched “Homeland” you likely know what I’m talking about!)

As Zadie Smith advises, “The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its reader, instead of its writer.” When you’re rereading your work during the revision process, really try to act as a reader encountering your story for the first time. If a chapter is boring for you to reread, it will likely be boring for your readers. How can you change it up? If a chapter makes you emotional to reread, it will likely resonate with readers. Consider how you can do more of that. 

Writing Exercise: Break your manuscript into scenes. Write a one-sentence purpose for each. If a scene lacks purpose, consider revising or cutting it.

7. Killing Your Darlings

Murder on the page! The phrase “kill your darlings” is often thrown around in writing circles, but putting it into practice is another story–a dark comedy at best, a cruel tragedy at worst. Letting go of beautifully written scenes that don’t serve your story can be heartbreaking.

One of the hardest moments for me was during a novel retreat, working with an award-winning author on my second book. The star of my book—or so I thought—was an opening prologue. This prologue had earned me a prestigious, month-long writing residency. I was attached to it–not just because it was well-crafted, but because it represented a significant milestone in my writing journey. I still refer to it as the best ten pages I’ve ever written. 

However, the author critiquing my book flat-out told me that while the prologue was beautifully written, it didn’t belong as the opening to the actual novel I had written. My initial reaction was defensive—I mentally listed all the reasons why she was wrong. But after giving my emotions time to settle, I reassessed and realized she was absolutely right. Cutting that prologue was painful, but it made my novel stronger.

Writing Exercise: Identify a “darling” in your manuscript—a scene, character, or piece of prose you love but suspect may not serve the story. Ask yourself: Does it advance the plot, develop character, or reinforce the theme? If not, try removing it and see how the story flows without it.

8. Seek Feedback

Share your draft with trusted readers. If you don’t already have a writing community for this, consider these options: 

• Critique Partners: Fellow writers offer valuable insights.
• Beta Readers: Non-writers or, at least, non-writing friends, who provide fresh perspectives.
• Professional Editors: Their expertise can elevate your work, but it will come with a price tag. 

When I receive feedback, I first reflect on what resonates with me, but I also pay attention to the critiques that trigger an immediate defensive reaction. Those often hold hidden truths about my work. I remind myself that if a reader doesn’t understand something, it’s not their fault—it’s on me as the writer to clarify. Check your ego, and embrace feedback as a tool for growth. Always remember, people who are offering up their time (paid or not) to offer you feedback want to help you improve your draft. 

Writing Exercise: Draft a feedback request letter. Outline specific areas you want feedback on, such as character development or pacing.

9. Common Revision Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Revising a novel is a complex process, and it’s easy to fall into common traps that can hinder your progress. Here are some mistakes to watch out for—and how to avoid them:

• Revising Too Soon: Jumping into revisions immediately after finishing your draft can cloud your judgment. You’re still too close to the material to see it clearly. Instead, take a break to gain fresh perspective. Distance helps you approach your work with the objectivity needed to identify both its strengths and weaknesses.
• Polishing Too Early: It’s tempting to focus on line edits—perfecting sentences, tweaking dialogue, and refining descriptions—before addressing structural issues. However, beautiful, well-crafted prose won’t save a story with weak character development or plot holes. Prioritize big-picture revisions first, then zoom in on the details.
• Ignoring Feedback: Receiving a critique can be tough, especially when it challenges your vision, but dismissing feedback without reflection can limit your growth. If multiple readers point out the same issue, it’s worth investigating. Even feedback that initially feels off can offer valuable insights. Ask the hard questions of your work, the answer may surprise you!
• Overcomplicating the Plot: In an effort to make your story more engaging, you might add unnecessary subplots, characters, or twists. This can dilute your core narrative. Focus on clarity and coherence. 
• Fear of Cutting: Letting go of scenes, characters, or even entire chapters you love is one of the hardest parts of revision. But sometimes, less is more. If a section doesn’t serve the plot, character development, or theme, consider trimming it. Remember, cutting doesn’t mean failure—it’s a sign you’re refining your story to its most powerful form.
• Editing Without a Plan: Diving into revisions without a clear strategy can lead to inconsistent changes and frustration. Create a revision roadmap outlining what needs attention, from structural overhauls to character arcs, and tackle them systematically.
• Resisting Change: Sometimes, we get attached to how we originally envisioned our story, even when it’s not working. Be open to making bold changes. The version you end up with might be different from your first draft—and that’s often a good thing.

Writing Exercise: Identify one scene you’re reluctant to change. Write a version where you take a bold risk—cut it, rewrite it from another POV, or change the setting entirely. Then compare the two versions. What new insights emerge?

10. Keep the Momentum Going

Revising is a marathon. To stay motivated:

• Set achievable goals
• Celebrate milestones
• Reconnect with your story’s purpose

I learned to love the revision process. Knowing that I would revise most scenes freed me from the pressure of attempting to write perfectly in the first draft. Revision is where the real magic happens—where your story truly takes shape. Accept that you will always have to revise. Always.

Writing Exercise: Create a list of affirmations related to your writing journey. Post them where you write as daily reminders of your progress.

Final Thoughts

Finishing a first draft is monumental, but it’s just the beginning. Your story has grown from a spark of inspiration into a complete narrative. Now, it’s time to nurture it further, to shape it into something even more powerful.

Revision isn’t about perfection; it’s about discovery. As you rework scenes, deepen characters, and refine plotlines, you’re uncovering the true heart of your story—and perhaps even discovering new truths about yourself as a writer. This process can be messy and overwhelming, but it’s also where growth happens. The writer you are today will not be the same writer who finishes the final draft.

The difference between a writer and an author is revision. Few people will write an entire novel. Even fewer will revise that novel into something publishable. Accept that you must revise. No matter how good of a writer you are, you must revise.

Through the process of revision, I learned to love the craft of writing more deeply. It gave me the confidence to trust my instincts, to make bold choices, and to believe in my ability to tell the story only I could tell. Revision didn’t just shape my novel; it reshaped how I see myself as a writer—resilient, curious, and always learning.

Remember, every author you admire has faced the same doubts and challenges. As Toni Morrison wisely said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” Your voice matters, your story matters, and the world needs what only you can create.

So, take a deep breath. Be kind to yourself. Embrace the revisions, the setbacks, and the breakthroughs. Because you’re not just writing a novel—you’re building resilience, honing your craft, and learning what it truly means to be a writer.

I’d love to hear from you: What’s been the hardest—or most surprising—part of revising your novel? Share your experiences, and revision tips in the comments. Let’s support each other through the next chapter of our writing journeys. Your story matters, and your words can inspire others just as their stories inspire you.

You’ve built a world, one word at a time. Now, trust yourself to shape it into the story only you can tell.

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