Episode #29 – February 17, 2025
Welcome to episode 29 of the Writing on Caffeine podcast. My daughter (Ragan Franzone) and I (Jonathan Franzone) are a father and daughter who have decided to write our first novel. In this podcast, we invite you to join us on this journey.
You’ve finished your first draft—now what? In this episode, we’re breaking down our month-by-month plan for editing our novels, from big-picture structural changes to final proofreading. We’ll walk through each phase of the process, including macro edits, character development, worldbuilding tweaks, and polishing prose. Plus, we’ll share our strategies for staying on track, managing feedback, and avoiding burnout. Whether you’re deep in revisions or just preparing for your first big rewrite, this episode will give you a clear roadmap to take your novel from messy draft to polished manuscript.
Writing Schedule
February: Macro Edits (Structure and Story)
- Week 1–2: Read through the entire manuscript without making any changes. Take detailed notes on structure, pacing, plot gaps, and inconsistencies.
- Week 3–4: Focus on large-scale rewrites and scene additions. Tackle one major structural issue at a time (e.g., gaps in the story, character arcs, or pacing problems).
March: Chapter-Level Edits
- Weeks 1–4: Revise 10 chapters per week (2–3 chapters during weeknights and more on weekends). Focus on improving dialogue, strengthening emotional beats, and tightening each chapter’s flow.
April: Polishing Character Development
- Week 1–2: Review main character arcs. Ensure their motivations, relationships, and growth are consistent.
- Week 3–4: Address secondary characters and ensure they serve the story effectively.
May: Worldbuilding and Magic System
- Week 1–2: Ensure worldbuilding details are clear, immersive, and consistent. Strengthen the rules and presentation of the magic system.
- Week 3–4: Work on descriptions and sensory details to enhance immersion.
June: Final Rewrites and Feedback
- Week 1–2: Address any lingering story issues or weak scenes.
- Week 3–4: Share the manuscript with beta readers or critique partners. Provide them with specific questions to gather actionable feedback.
July: Incorporate Feedback
- Weeks 1–4: Tackle feedback systematically, focusing on areas highlighted by beta readers. Refine scenes and address any unresolved issues.
August: Line Edits
- Weeks 1–4: Focus on sentence-level edits. Improve flow, clarity, and prose style. Eliminate redundancies and awkward phrasing.
September: Proofreading
- Weeks 1–3: Conduct multiple rounds of proofreading, either solo or with professional help. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting consistency.
- Week 4: Finalize the manuscript.
October–November: Pre-Publication Prep
- Week 1–3: Format the manuscript for your chosen publishing platform. Work with a cover designer or finalize your cover if not already done.
- Week 4: Plan and execute a marketing and promotion strategy.
December: Publish!
- Use the first week to ensure everything is in order for your publishing date.
- Celebrate your hard work!
Notes for Time Management:
- Dedicate 1–2 hours per weeknight for editing and 4–6 hours on weekends.
- Schedule breaks between each major phase to avoid burnout.
- Use tools like Trello, Scrivener, or Notion to track your progress.
James Scott Bell’s Self-Editing Process
1. The Big Picture: Macro-Editing
- Start with the story as a whole. Before diving into sentence-level edits, assess your novel’s structure, characters, and overall flow.
- Review the “LOCK” system:
- Lead: Ensure your protagonist is compelling, relatable, and active. Readers should care about what happens to them.
- Objective: Your protagonist must have a clear goal driving the story. What are they trying to achieve or avoid?
- Conflict: Evaluate the challenges your protagonist faces. Do they escalate, creating tension and stakes?
- Knockout ending: Does your ending pack a punch and satisfy the reader? Revise to leave a lasting impression.
2. Character Deep Dives
- Character Arcs: Ensure your characters grow or change meaningfully over the course of the story. Stagnant characters lose reader interest.
- Motivation and Backstory: Revise to make character motivations clear and consistent. Cut unnecessary backstory that slows the pacing.
- Dialogue: Edit for authenticity, avoiding “on-the-nose” dialogue. Each character’s voice should be distinct.
3. Plot and Structure
- Scene-by-Scene Analysis:
- Identify each scene’s purpose (e.g., advancing the plot, revealing character, creating tension).
- Cut or revise any scene that doesn’t serve a clear purpose.
- Pacing: Look for sections where the story drags or moves too fast. Alternate between action and reflection to maintain rhythm.
- Conflict and Stakes: Increase tension wherever possible. If stakes feel low, brainstorm ways to make them personal or urgent.
4. Prose-Level Editing: Micro-Editing
- First Impressions Matter: Your opening must hook readers immediately. Cut backstory and dive into action or an intriguing moment.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Replace exposition with vivid descriptions and actions that reveal emotions or information naturally.
- Avoid Clichés: Revise for originality in descriptions, metaphors, and dialogue.
- Polish Your Writing:
- Eliminate redundancies and tighten sentences.
- Cut adverbs and replace them with stronger verbs.
- Look for weak or vague words and replace them with precise language.
- Read Aloud: Reading your work aloud helps you catch awkward phrasing, repetitive words, and unnatural dialogue.
5. Beta Reader Feedback
- Get Outside Input: Share your manuscript with trusted readers who understand your genre. Be open to constructive criticism.
- Ask Specific Questions: For example:
- Are the characters engaging?
- Does the plot hold your interest?
- Were there confusing or slow parts?
- Use feedback to revise further, focusing on common issues or recurring concerns.
6. Final Polishing
- Proofreading: Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Use tools or hire a proofreader for a professional finish.
- Formatting: Ensure the manuscript meets industry standards for submission (e.g., font, spacing, margins).
Bell emphasizes that self-editing is a cyclical process. You may need to revisit earlier steps as you gain new insights or incorporate feedback. Patience and persistence are key to crafting a novel that not only satisfies your creative vision but also resonates with readers and publishers.
