Overview of the Process
Abbie breaks down her revision and editing process into five key stages:
- Decompression Time
- Revising the First Draft
- Line Editing
- Getting Feedback
- Professional Edits and Proofreading
1. Decompression Time
Before diving into revisions, Abbie emphasizes the importance of taking time away from your manuscript after completing the first draft. This decompression period (typically 3–4 months) allows writers to gain a more objective perspective on their work. The goal is to create a sense of unfamiliarity with the manuscript, making it easier to identify areas for improvement[1].
2. Revising the First Draft
Revisions focus on major changes to plot, character arcs, and story structure. Abbie recommends approaching this stage strategically:
- Set a Clear Vision: Define what you want your finished product to look like.
- Ask Key Questions:
- What do you love about this story?
- Why does this story matter to you?
- What are its problem areas?
- How do you want your characters to change throughout the story?
- Use Physical Copies: Print out your manuscript and organize it in a three-ring binder for easier annotation and creative freedom[1].
For writers who struggle with major rewrites, Abbie suggests improving your outlining process during the drafting phase to avoid extensive revisions later[1].
3. Line Editing
Once structural revisions are complete, move on to line editing. This stage involves meticulous attention to detail:
- Eliminate passive voice and excessive adverbs.
- Address weak words, continuity errors, spelling, and grammar issues.
- Focus solely on sentence-level improvements without revisiting broader structural concerns.
Abbie highlights that line editing should only occur after major revisions are finalized, as focusing on details too early can hinder progress on larger issues[1].
4. Getting Feedback
Feedback is crucial for refining your manuscript further:
- Seek input from trusted beta readers or critique partners who understand your vision.
- Ensure they provide honest opinions, ideally from individuals who would be part of your target audience.
- Use their feedback to identify additional ways to make your story more emotional, engaging, and memorable[1].
5. Professional Edits and Proofreading
After incorporating feedback, Abbie recommends hiring professional editors and proofreaders:
- A professional editor can enhance your manuscript’s readability and polish.
- Proofreaders ensure grammatical accuracy and catch overlooked errors.
- Writers should also proofread their work personally at least twice before publication to ensure quality control[1].
Additional Tips
- Consider using tools like Scrivener for organization during drafting and revisions.
- Engage with beta readers effectively by asking targeted questions about your manuscript.
- Explore Abbie’s other videos for deeper insights into outlining, editing techniques, and writing strategies.
Resources Mentioned in the Video
Abbie shares several resources that can support writers during their revision journey:
- Writing tools like binders, highlighters, and pens.
- Her Scrivener Masterclass for advanced organization techniques.
- Free writing templates available through her website.
For more detailed guidance on specific aspects of writing (e.g., character backstory or eliminating weak words), check out related videos linked in her channel[1].
This guide summarizes Abbie Emmons’ practical approach to transforming a messy first draft into a polished manuscript ready for publication or sharing with readers.
Sources
[1] watch?v=-Q31aENPBJI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q31aENPBJI
[2] How to turn your messy first draft into something actually worth reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q31aENPBJI
[3] How to Revise: A Step-by-Guide to Revising Your Writing https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-process/revise/
[4] Mechanics in Writing | Definition, Editing Process & Examples – Lesson | Study.com https://study.com/learn/lesson/mechanics-overview-editing.html
[5] How to REVISE a Novel (My Step-By-Step Revision Guide) ✏️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PahOZhRSIw
[6] How to Revise Drafts https://crk.umn.edu/writing-center/how-revise-drafts
[7] Fundamentals of Editing: The Editing Process – Poynter https://www.poynter.org/educators-students/2016/fundamentals-of-editing-the-editing-process/
[8] How to Revise the First Draft of Your Novel in Scrivener – Literature & Latte https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/how-to-revise-the-first-draft-of-your-novel-in-scrivener
[9] How to Edit a Paper: Step-by-Step Guide & Examples https://www.grammarly.com/blog/editing/
[10] Abbie Emmons’s Blog https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19119615.Abbie_Emmons/blog
[11] How to Revise a Novel • My revision process, how to fix a broken plot, Scrivener set up, and MORE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JxlUScYCOI
[12] Steps for Revising – Purdue OWL® https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html
[13] The Writing Process: Revising, Editing, and Proofreading | AJE https://www.aje.com/arc/the-writing-process-revising-editing-and-proofreading/
[14] Abbie Emmons https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19119615.Abbie_Emmons
[15] Revising Drafts – The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/
[16] Editing and Proofreading – The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
[17] Hol dir weitere Inhalte aus Abbie Emmons auf Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/abbieemmons?l=de
[18] How to revise a first draft https://scottberkun.com/2013/how-to-revise-a-first-draft/
[19] General Strategies for Editing and Proofreading https://gustavus.edu/writingcenter/handoutdocs/editing_proofreading.php
[20] Get more from Abbie Emmons on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/abbieemmons
[21] 5 Tips for Revising a First Draft (Writing Mastery) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA5ozAQ-Kks