The Art of Finishing Your Novel
Motivation to Complete Your Edits
"Work inspires inspiration. Keep working." — Michael Crichton
So, you’ve finished your first draft. Congrats! That’s a huge accomplishment. But now comes the real work —the editing process. This is where your messy, sprawling draft transforms into a tight, compelling story.
And yes, editing can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re staring at your manuscript thinking, Where do I even start? Or maybe you’re tempted to just hit “publish” on that rough draft and call it a day. (Don’t.)
Editing is where the real writing happens. It’s where you sharpen your characters, tighten your plot, and make sure every scene earns its place. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be torture. In fact, it can be fun.
Here’s how to tackle your novel edits like a pro—without losing your mind.
Step 1: Understand Your Story’s Core Layers
Before you start hacking away at sentences, take a step back. Every novel balances three key layers.
First, there’s the plot, which is the engine of your story. You should examine whether each scene pushes the narrative forward in a meaningful way.
Next, there are the characters, who serve as the heart of your story. Ask yourself if they have clear motivations, flaws, and satisfying arcs that make readers care about them.
Finally, there’s the theme, which is the soul of your story. What deeper message or question are you exploring? Every major scene should subtly reinforce this central idea.
You should also evaluate your opening to ensure it hooks the reader with the "promise of the premise." If you’re writing a thriller, the opening should establish tension. If it’s a mystery, there should be intrigue. A fantasy? Great world building. .By the middle of your story you should be delivering on that promise. Avoid bait-and-switches—if you tease vampires in the first act, don’t pivot to a political drama halfway through.
And the ending? It should feel inevitable yet satisfying. That doesn’t mean it has to be happy. It can be tragic, ambiguous, or even involve a final plot twist. Some possible endings include the triumph, where the hero wins; the tragedy, where they succeed but lose something irreplaceable; the sacrifice, where they give up their goal for a greater cause; and the ambiguous ending, where the reader gets to decide what really happens.
No matter which type of ending you choose, it should carry emotional weight and provide satisfying closure to the story's central questions. A powerful technique is bringing the narrative full circle by echoing elements from the beginning. Take To Kill a Mockingbird - the novel opens with Scout's childhood curiosity about Boo Radley, and by the end, that mystery is resolved in a way that reframes everything we've read. This kind of intentional bookending creates a cohesive, resonant reading experience where every element feels purposeful and complete.
Step 2: The Rewriting Process—12 Strategies to Save Your Sanity
Editing a novel is like solving a puzzle. You already have all the pieces—now you just need to fit them together *better*. Here’s how:
1. Make It Fun (Seriously)
Rewriting doesn’t have to be a slog. Instead of dreading it, try to enjoy the process. Play with scenes, experiment with dialogue, and take pleasure in cutting what doesn’t work while amplifying what does. Think of it as sculpting your story into its best possible form.
2. Set a Schedule (and Reward Yourself)
Editing in marathon sessions leads to burnout. A better approach is to break it into manageable chunks. Tell yourself, *"Today, I’ll fix Chapter 5,"* and stick to that goal. Then, reward yourself with something small but satisfying—a coffee break, a short walk, or an episode of your favorite show.
3. Kill Your Darlings
We all have those beautifully written paragraphs we’re proud of, or those characters we adore—but if they don’t serve the story, they have to go. Be ruthless. If it helps, save them in a “deleted scenes” document. You might repurpose them later in another project.
4. Adjust for Length
If your novel is too long, look for filler to cut, tighten up dialogue, and merge redundant scenes. If it’s too short, consider adding subplots, deepening character arcs, or expanding key moments that feel rushed.
5. Treat It Like an Open-Book Test
Unlike the first draft, where you were figuring things out as you went, you now know all the answers. Use that knowledge to strengthen foreshadowing, fix plot holes, and ensure everything connects seamlessly.
6. Tackle the Hardest Tasks First
It’s tempting to start with the easy fixes, but you’ll make faster progress if you begin each editing session with the toughest challenges—like rewriting a weak climax or fixing a flat character. Once the hardest work is done, the rest will feel much easier.
7. Write a Post-Draft Essay
After reading your draft, take some time to jot down your thoughts. Ask yourself what worked, what fell flat, and where you personally lost interest. This exercise helps you pinpoint weak spots with fresh eyes.
8. Summarize Your Novel (2,000-3,000 Words)
Try summarizing your entire novel in a few thousand words, including all major plot points, subplots, and character arcs. Then, analyze this summary. Does the story feel compelling and cohesive? Does it flow smoothly, or are there pacing issues? Are the stakes high enough to keep readers hooked?
9. Map the 12 Key Plot Beats
Identify the major turning points in your story—the inciting incident, the midpoint shift, the climax, and so on. Each of these beats should advance the plot, raise the stakes, and deepen character development. If any feel weak, strengthen them.
10. Push Characters to Their Limits
Great stories come from great conflict. Make your characters face their worst fears. Force them into impossible choices. Pit them against each other in ways that test their morals and desires. The more they struggle, the more readers will root for them.
11. Withhold Information Strategically
Don’t reveal key details too soon. Instead, tease them. Make readers wait for answers. This builds suspense and keeps them turning pages.
12. Avoid Info-Dumping
Long blocks of exposition can bore readers. Instead, reveal backstory through conflict—like an argument where secrets spill out—or through action, like a character discovering an old letter. Another effective technique is to use mystery—drop hints rather than full explanations to keep readers curious.
Trust the Process
Editing isn’t just about fixing mistakes—it helps you to uncover the best version of your story. It’s where you have a chance to make a good story great. So take a deep breath. Be patient. And remember: "Work inspires inspiration." The more you engage with your story, the clearer your vision becomes.
Now go forth—hone, polish, and finish that novel!