Revision is a process that I imagine every writer tackles in his or her own way. Of course there are those magnificent geniuses in movies who type the last word, then dramatically pull the paper from the printer and say, “Done!” Not in the real world. I’d be willing to bet they don’t even do that in a writer’s room where several talented heads get together on the same project.

Some authors I’ve spoken with on the subject don’t begin revisions until they get the entire first draft on paper. Some work on a few chapters, run them through their critique process and get busy re-doing right away. Then they repeat the process with each new chunk of material. And there are about a thousand levels between. I know a young adult author who writes in rhyme – a whole novel, that is. She actually did say, “When it’s done, it’s done.” Her editor doesn’t even force the rewrites. But she completed the process along the way, so in fact, she did revise and plug her holes.

A few days ago I started thinking about where my latest WIP was going. I’m still somewhat of a newbie, but I’ve been picking up techniques and tools along the way. I’m not quite finished with this mid-grade horse story, but I’m worried about all my points coming together. And I don’t want to waste weeks of writing and critiquing just to turn around and redo because I missed an important piece of a plot. So I pulled out the toolbox and started digging.

My first and favorite tool is an outline. The beginning chapters are done loosely while the outline is coming together. I have a firm idea of the opening scene and the closing scene and some big plot points along the way. But a really good story often writes itself once it gets going, so I steam away and tighten up my outline as I go.

Outlining works for me because I have the story all on one page. More important, I keep track of the plot. I do have to go back and work on character building and scene painting, but without a strong plot, who cares. I can also see sub-plots and plot twists emerging as my outline develops. And I can keep track of major changes I have made or need to make. Now the work is getting fun. Still hard work and a challenge, but it’s exciting to see it come together.

My second favorite tool is my spiral. Maybe I should clarify. It should be a spiral that I carry around with me to jot down notes and ideas, but really it’s a collection of scribbles on the backs of envelopes, old receipts, napkins, and anything else I can find to write on when the Muse drops a word on me. Basically, keep track of every idea. I have a good friend who relies on sticky notes. I think she the sticky-note people in business all by herself. But it works for her. Every intriguing new sentence, character trait, action, or scene idea goes down on paper – or my little voice recorder on my phone – to be incorporated in my story when I get back to the keyboard.

Of course I print hard copies and take them to a neutral corner and read. I’m not sure why, but mistakes just pop out on paper, but lie hidden on the screen. And since it’s nearly Arbor Day, I sorta feel guilty for killing trees. But I do recycle, and I plant trees, too.

For revision and all the other skills needed to bring an idea into a great book, I look to the professionals who’ve been there and written about it. I figure if their books are still in print after a few years, they must have something good going on. Some of the plans in the vast ocean of writing craft manuals simply don’t work for me, or it’s the same thing said in a different color (but it’s still a rose). I do use a few which I found by googling a keyword. So the one I’m using today to find and patch holes in my plot is a story development and revision worksheet that can be found online at jamigold.com.

The worksheet asks a series of questions for a character driven plot and the first time I looked at this, months ago, I couldn’t even begin to answer them. What moral choice did my character have to make? No clue. What were her external and internal goals? I only thought I knew. Write a few more chapters and revisit.

So, now that I’m within sight of the ending scene, the answers to these questions are much clearer. And they show the gaping, bleeding holes in my plot. I also see that there are several characters in my story who need to arc and so they also need action, character building, and great scenery to bring them out. Now I’m ready to answer these questions for all my characters. And I discover I have a main plot, two sub-plots, and a great plot twist. I’ve also tagged all my characters with an arch-type, but that’s a different story.

Giving all credit to Jami Gold, who incidentally writes paranormal and I wouldn’t even try to do such a thing, here are the questions I had to answer about the arcing characters of my story:

How will the protag change? How does the struggle to complete the action affect the character?

What moral choice will the protag have to make?

What does the character learn about him or herself?

What external goal does the character want to reach? (here’s some action)

What’s holding the character back?

What does the character have to overcome?

Next: How does the plot reflect the character’s struggles?

What initial problem grows out of the character’s weakness?

What opponent is competing for the same goal? (Here’s where I found the sub-plots and juicy plot twists)

What’s the characters plan?

What immoral act does the character do as a result of his/her weakness?

What’s the criticism or justifications for the choice?

What’s the final battle? (Is there really a final battle for every character who needs to come to grips with a problem they may have with the protagonist?) That was fun to discover.

What is the character’s new self?

The list goes on, and of course there is a great lesson to go along with it. I have spent the last two days working through this, story-boarding, jotting down notes, and adding text in red to my outline (meaning that’s the stuff I need to work on)

My little heart went pitty-pat when I found all the holes in my plot which needed to be patched and I simply had to share. I encourage you to visit jamigold.com. It’s simply another great tool to add to the toolbox.

I’d love to hear how you wrap up your plots and character arcs.

I've been down and out for months. Every time I try to raise my head above water, something pulls the rug out and dumps another bucket all over me. Negative energy has sapped my strength and almost ended me a few times. Oh, I've had excuses, but looking back, that’s all they were – Lame – Hollow – Excuses.


You know how life always gets in the way when you make a good solid plan and set goals for yourself. There’s the weather, runs to the doctor, things that need to be fixed or built. See, my excuses are good.

     1    You’ll have to agree the weather has been weird this year, hot when it should be cold, cold when it should be hot. Everyplace got snow except Alaska! What’s up with that? But the weather in Texas has been bad. Downright depressing. And it’s a proven fact that weather can affect you to the point of losing your creative bug.

[Insert BUZZ] Strike that lame excuse. The best time to write, or paint, or quilt, or whatever, is when it’s too cold, or too hot, or too rainy, or too windy, [insert your own bad weather here] to go outside.

     2    Here’s a better one. The weather has been beautiful and just too perfect not to get in some gardening.

[BUZZ] The opposite of the first one is still a lame excuse. Now is the time to carry a pad and pencil to your favorite bench and let nature inspire me.

     3   I have so many projects going on and I get overwhelmed. That’s a good excuse, isn't it?

[BUZZ] Duh, who laid all those problems on the table, nit-wit. Make a list, prioritize, set aside blocks of time and keep to your schedule, and try to delegate something, like maybe the dishes? Hey it works sometimes.

     4   My husband has combat PTSD and is often difficult to live with.

[BUZZ a loud one this time] How can I blame my lack of whatever, or bail on someone who values the lives of others far more than he values himself? Shame on me! His courage should be enough inspiration to keep me going for the rest of my life.

     5    I’m just getting old and tired and my bones ache.

[BUZZ] Don’t ever buy into that lie, for about a thousand and one reasons. Eat right, go to bed ON TIME, take your vitamins, and let the sun (Son) shine in! And take a pain pill of you really do feel sore once in a while.

     6    I just don’t feel very creative today.

[BUZZ] Really? Quit whining. Get off your thumbs. And Move!

      7   I have PMS and would rather throw my computer into the lake than sit here banging on the keys. I want to injure something!

[BUZZ] Still whining? Give it a break! The pity party is over! If I have enough energy to want to rip the tail off an alligator, why not add some of that energy to the draggy part of that book I've been fretting over!

     8    Okay! Don’t rip my head off. Here is one nobody can argue with. It’s not an excuse. The kids are coming over and it’s going to be a busy day.

[BUZZ] Maybe so, but I can’t think of a better opportunity to encourage and inspire grandchildren than to show them what I do. Share some ideas. Give them a pad and pencil, or paints, and let them give it a try. Hmmmm, that sounds like a story in itself. Remember, the family who [insert project] together, stays together.

     9    My heart has been broken – more than once. How can I be creative when the pain comes from someplace where you can’t put a Band-Aid?

[BUZZ] Hank Williams said it best in his song, but it’s been repeated by everyone in every profession on every continent in the world: You can’t really sing and make people feel what you feel inside if you've never lived through the pain. In other words: No pain, no gain. When life hands you a bucket of #!$&, first you make fertilizer and you grow something really beautiful. Then you write about it.

     10   Final excuse. This one can’t be blown out of the water. I’ve been sick, really sick. It put me on my back for weeks. First one thing, then another (you can verify that with my friends). But then it became habit to just lay around wishing I had some energy – and feeling sorry for myself.

[BUZZ] I’m sure glad I didn't do that twenty some odd years ago when I had stage (not going to mention that number in mixed company) breast cancer. The doctors said it had spread and they cut all sorts of stuff off my body. Then I had to take a really horrible cocktail of chemotherapy for six months to get the rest of the nasties out. (I took my final exams with a bald head.)

Where am I going with this? Lots of folks suggested I slow down, take a break, finish school later. But I was in my final year – within sight of a degree. The first, but thankfully not the last, in my family to go to college. I couldn't quit. I couldn't quit for my new husband who stood by me through every second of it. I couldn't quit on my pre-teen kids who looked to me for strength. Most of all, I couldn't quit for myself. And how could I use that as an excuse when so many others were so much more sick than I have ever been and they had the courage to keep going?

So who tried to kill my creative bug?

Here’s the truth. If someone has squashed the life out of you or your creative side, it’s only because you let it happen. No one can truly control your life except you. No one has power over you unless you give them permission. And. That’s. Not. Okay. Not in any scenario. Give yourself permission to retake control of your soul – slay the dragon – breathe life back into that poor little creative bug, and set out a plate of cookies for your muse, should he or she decide to stop by for a chat (Invite your inspiration).

You have what it takes to revive your poor little injured bug, and she will be stronger for the experience. Trust me on that.

Try this for yourself. Write a list of your lame excuses ALL of them even if you really believe in your heart and soul they are valid. Then blow each and every one of them to smithereens And share if you dare.

Feel free to comment, share, or contact me back-channel.