Revision: From Structure to Word Choice

Thursday, August 06, 2026

The final step in revision

After being off work for several months, I’ve signed a contract for a book due at the end of August. Step One is obviously to write like a maniac. Step Two is to revise.

But to make the process as smooth as possible, you must know where to start. Too many writers think that revising is all about fixing spelling and punctuation errors. I’m not saying that we should ignore those errors but first, we need to look at the big picture or the structure.

In nonfiction, that means that I make certain my sections are in the right order. I need a solid introduction and then carefully ordered chapters. When I write history, that’s easy because things are chronological. This time I’m writing about pop culture, so I start with the most popular aspect and then cycle through the rest.

When you are looking at the big picture in fiction, you start with the overall shape of the book. This can include:

The Opening. Did you start your story in the right place? I tend to start too early. Another important point about the opening scene is that it is a contract with your reader. A humorous opening promises humorous moments throughout the story. Action promises action. Fantasy can be tricky, but you should at least hint at the world of magic.
The Closing. Just as your story starts in the correct place, it must end in the correct place. In some ways, it should probably come full circle with the beginning.
Plot. Does your plot hold together? Does your story have a strong beginning, middle, and end? This means different things for flash and either short stories or novels so do some reading to see how other writers do it.
Pacing. Your plot needs a balance of fast-paced moments and quieter moments. If your story is too fast paced, you risk wearing your readers out. Too slow and they’re going to do something more interesting like clean out the crisper.
Characters. Are your characters compelling? Even if they aren’t likeable, they need to be interesting. They also must be believable and three-dimensional.
Setting. Your setting must feel real. The reader needs to have a sense of where and when the story takes place. And the details that you include need to shore up your plot and your characters.

Once you’ve worked through any structural issues, you are ready to revise at the sentence and paragraph level. This is where you make sure that each sentence and paragraph brings something new to the story. You also look for inconsistencies just so that someone’s eye color or worse yet name doesn’t change. This is also the time to make sure you have used just the right word. Did your character stay in a cabin or was it a log home? A duplex or a town home?

When I work on this level of revision, I have Word read the story aloud. If I read it on paper, I don’t hear clunky phrases. I miss some of the repetition. So I get out my knitting and I listen, pausing to correct the rough spots.

Finally, it is time to proofread. This is when you look for spelling and punctuation errors. And typos! Don’t forget the typos!

To catch these final picky errors, I print my manuscript out. Then I go into the dining room with a lovely candle and a cup of coffee. Reading print, I always spot things on paper that I didn’t see on the screen.

Whether you are working on a piece of flash, a short story, or a novel, revision helps you hone your draft into the piece you intended to create all along.

–SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 80 books for young readers. To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog.

She is also the instructor for 3 WOW classes which begin on the first Monday of every month. She teaches: