Writing Tip: 3 Tips For A Solid Revision Plan
In the spirit of writing what I know, and what’s at the forefront of my mind, I decided to share a bonus Writing Tip post this month on revision plans. I recently received a “revise and resubmit” (or an R&R) for the novel I’m querying, so I thought I’d share on the topic in broad strokes. I won’t be sharing my revision plan as an example, but I will give my top 3 tips for writing a solid plan, and a short example to demonstrate what I mean.
WHAT IS A REVISION PLAN?
Put simply, it’s a detailed roadmap that outlines the steps we will take to revise and improve our manuscript based on feedback from beta readers, editors, or literary agents.
WHEN (AND WHY) DO WE NEED ONE?
A revision plan is typically needed when we receive feedback on our writing, whether it's from a teacher, a peer, an editor, or a literary agent. It helps us organize our approach to revising our work based on the feedback we’ve received. So, we would need a revision plan whenever we’re ready to start revising our writing to generally improve it or address specific issues identified. Sometimes writers develop revision plans for our work on our own, even before seeking outside perspectives and feedback, but I always take the time to do one if others have read the work and pulled out things which could be improved upon.
It usually helps to organize our thoughts and tasks to ensure that the revisions are focused, efficient, and effective in addressing the strengths and weaknesses of our manuscript. A revision plan typically includes specific goals, tasks, timelines, and strategies for each aspect of the manuscript that needs improvement. It serves as a guide to keep us on track and accountable throughout the revision process and can be as detailed or as generalized as works best. For me, I tend to get pretty specific with lots of bullet points and checklists, plus a spreadsheet to fill out as I accomplish those outlined tasks.
WHAT MIGHT BE INCLUDED?
It’s common for feedback to include things related to character consistency, pacing concerns, plot holes, clarity issues, areas to increase tension/suspense, etc. We may need to cut or add entire scenes, or we may need to adjust and rework existing ones. For an example of a possible basic revision plan, see the sample at the end.
3 TIPS FOR A GOOD REVISION PLAN:
Analyze the Feedback
Getting feedback can bring up a lot of emotions for most writers, so it’s important to feel all the things, but when you’re ready to start revising, it’s probably best to approach it as logically and technically as possible. While our books can be our babies, if we’re trying to sell/market them, we need to be able to approach them objectively at this stage. So, with that in mind, carefully review the feedback and identify the specific areas of the manuscript that need improvement. Take note of any recurring issues or suggestions for enhancement.
I like to make a list of each individual concern raised, moving the ones I agree with to the top, and putting the ones I disagree with at the bottom. I may or may not incorporate those once I get to them, but I like to keep them on the list just in case. This is especially important when receiving feedback from multiple sources. Compiling it all in one document makes it easier to see everything in one place. When feedback is only coming from one person (like my editor or, in this case, a literary agent), I still create a list with the main points of their feedback.
Prioritize Changes
Once we’ve identified the key areas for improvement with which we agree, I like to prioritize them based on their significance to the overall quality of the manuscript. I start with the most critical changes that will have the biggest impact on strengthening my story. I also identify which ones may potentially impact other portions of the manuscript and tackle those as early as possible, that way I can address the changes before I’ve spent time on smaller-level revisions, only to have to rewrite them anyway for continuity or structure’s sake.
Break Down the Revision Process
I like to divide my revision plan into manageable tasks or sections, and I think this helps a ton. I tend to do this in spreadsheets, but a checklist or calendar-style format could work, too. The main thing is to create a timeline for completing each task, setting realistic deadlines to keep ourselves accountable and ensure steady progress. I like the satisfaction of completing specific tasks and checking off those boxes. Not much is as satisfying as filling in a spreadsheet as I complete my revisions, but find what works for you!
BONUS TIP:
Before finalizing a revision plan, consider seeking input from trusted beta readers, critique partners, or writing mentors. Share the proposed revisions with them and ask for their insights and suggestions. Their feedback can help refine the plan and ensure that the revisions effectively address the concerns. This isn’t 100% necessary, but I do suggest it.
EXAMPLE
Using the sample editorial letter from Rachelle Gardner’s site, I’ve put together a quick revision plan. You can make this more or less specific based on what works best for you, but it will give you an idea of what a simple revision plan could look like if you write it out in a word document. This is just the bare bones. In my actual plan, I’d further break down every bullet point into specific ideas for resolving each item.
(Note: Instead of putting “1 week” or whatever for timeline, I would actually put a specific due date. For some reason my brain seems to understand that and find it far more motivating, but do whatever works for you.)
Clarify Major Conflict and Stakes (Timeline: 1 week)
Identify the central conflict of the story and what is at stake for the protagonist and other characters.
Clearly define the antagonist's motivations and goals.
Ensure that the conflict is introduced early in the narrative to engage readers and create suspense.
Revise Point of View (POV) (Timeline: 1 week)
Decide on a consistent narrative perspective (close third person).
Deepen the connection with the main characters by adopting a more intimate POV.
Eliminate confusion by maintaining a clear and consistent narrative voice throughout the manuscript.
Go through the entire draft to insure we are entirely in this new perspective
Streamline Writing Style (Timeline: 2 weeks)
Identify and remove unnecessary adjectives, adverbs, and overly complex verbs.
Focus on using strong nouns and verbs to convey meaning effectively.
Ensure that descriptions are vivid and concise, without detracting from the flow of the narrative.
Refine Dream Sequences (Timeline: 1 week)
Evaluate the purpose of dream sequences in the narrative.
Revise dream sequences to make them more integral to the plot and character development.
Ensure that dream sequences contribute to the overall tension and thematic coherence of the story.
If they do not, CUT them and move any plot-essential information to other scenes.
Establish Setting and World (Timeline: 1 week)
Clearly establish the setting, including time period and location, to ground the reader in the world.
Provide descriptive details to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere.
Balance world-building with narrative pacing to avoid overwhelming the reader with exposition.
Review every scene to make sure characters are interacting with their environment in a way that grounds the reader.
Develop Secondary Characters (Timeline: 2 weeks)
Distinguish between secondary characters to give each one a unique identity and purpose.
Assess the role of secondary characters in relation to the protagonist and main plot.
Add lines of dialogue or action which distinguish them
Make sure each character serves a purpose directly related to the plot/protagonist in every scene.
Consider consolidating character roles (combine the two women into one character)
Trim Excessive Description and Metaphors (Timeline: 1 week)
Cut down on lengthy descriptions and metaphors that obscure the narrative meaning.
Focus on using concise language to convey complex ideas and emotions.
Ensure that metaphors enhance clarity and contribute to the reader's understanding of the story and remove any that do not.
Manage Backstory and Repetitiveness (Timeline: 1 week)
Distribute backstory information throughout the narrative to avoid overwhelming the reader with exposition.
Consolidate repetitive ideas and wording to streamline the prose and improve pacing.
Maintain a balance between revealing necessary background information and advancing the plot.
Enhance Dialogue and Character Motivations (Timeline: 1 week)
Incorporate contractions and natural speech patterns into dialogue to enhance realism.
Revisit characters' motivations to ensure they are consistent and drive the plot forward.
Focus on creating authentic and compelling character interactions that reveal their inner conflicts and desires.
Reevaluate Romance Subplot (Timeline: 1 week)
Assess the predictability of the romance subplot and potential for adding complexity.
Introduce obstacles or conflicts that challenge the romantic relationship and create suspense.
Explore alternative romantic pairings or character dynamics to add depth and intrigue to the storyline.
This revision plan sets out a 12-week roadmap for addressing all the issues raised in the sample editorial letter. Of course, it may take more or less, depending on how much time we can devote to the revision process each day, but this shows a general idea of what it might look like. As I said, I like checklists and spreadsheets, so maybe I’ll do a second post one of these days showing my process more specifically. However, while doing some quick research for this post, I noticed that a lot of authors use a word document and find it more than sufficient. Do what works for you, as always.
Not all writers love revision as much as I do, and I get that. But I’ve found that going in with a clear plan always helps when I’m doing something I’m not particularly excited about. I consider myself immensely fortunate that I love receiving and incorporating feedback, but I know that’s not the case for everyone. If it’s not for you, maybe it would feel a little less overwhelming (or tedious, or whatever else you might be feeling at the prospect of revisions) to approach it in this way. Creating an overview of the plan, followed by checklists with specific tasks to complete, can help us tackle it one small piece at a time.
Happy revising!
