#190. Novel Editing: 10 Steps to Editing Your First Draft

Fiction Writing Made Easy

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18d ago 30:01

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Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead of countless aspiring writers who never make it past the dreaming stage.

But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "What next?"

Maybe you've tried jumping straight into revisions only to find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or just plain stuck. Or maybe you’re just avoiding it altogether.

If your excitement about finishing your draft has given way to editing anxiety, you're not alone. Every author—even the most seasoned professionals—reaches this crossroads, where the path forward seems foggy at best.

Tune in to learn the exact novel editing framework that has helped my clients and students transform their messy drafts into completed manuscripts.

You’ll hear me talk about things like:

[06:21] The game-changing approach to organizing your editing notes that’ll prevent months of wasted time and getting stuck in "revision loops"
[07:17] How mapping what you actually wrote (not what you intended to write) can expose the hidden strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript
[10:05] The #1 mistake first-time novelists make when editing their messy first drafts (and how to avoid falling into this all too common trap)
[16:05] The four-category sorting system that helps you prioritize feedback and make confident decisions about which changes to implement
[23:22] How your publishing path impacts your editing to-do list (and which steps to take if you’re self-publishing or traditional publishing)

If you've finally finished your first draft but find yourself paralyzed by the editing process, or if you've been revising the same chapters for months without making real progress, this episode gives you the clear, structured approach you need.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

Novel Editing Roadmap: 10 Steps To Editing Your First Draft (Free Guide)
Want my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Chapters

1. The Power of Effective Scene Writing (00:00:00)

2. ] Scene-Level Polishing in Your Third Draft (00:20:33)

3. Introduction and First Draft Celebration (00:23:37)

4. ] Choosing Your Publishing Path (00:24:37)

5. Taking a Break: Why Distance Matters (01:36:50)

6. The 10-Step Revision Process (02:23:59)

7. Reading Without Editing: The Complete Picture (04:57:51)

8. Reverse Outlining Your Manuscript (07:21:58)

9. Creating a Strategic Revision Plan (09:52:53)

10. Getting Fresh Eyes on Your Work (13:25:51)

203 episodes

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