"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 …
Full blog post: https://art4marax.substack.com/p/the-art-of-finishing-your-novel
Published 21 June, 2025