How To Revise Your Manuscript

I'm in the process of revising my novel, "The Chloe Chronicles," which will be re-released in early 2018.

One tip I've picked up that helps a lot with revising is to take index cards and go through every scene in every chapter of your manuscript. Write down a summary of what happens in that scene and whether or not it can be cut.

You can use software that helps you generate note cards like Final Draft. Or you can do it by hand using index cards that you can buy for a stack of 100 for $1 at a grocery store or an office supply store. 

Once you have all the scenes written down, spread them out on the floor, tape them to a wall or put them on bulletin boards or poster boards. Look over all the index cards, which will give you a bird's-eye view of all the scenes in your manuscript. 

You'll begin to see patterns: some scenes are repetitive. Or you'll see that a particular scene isn't really necessary and you can reduce it to a one- or two-sentence summary and merge it with another scene.

Using the "Index Card Method," I've already cut down 100 pages from my novel from its previous length of more than 600 pages. This method also works with screenplays, stage plays and any kind of written material.  

It's really hard work to cut scenes from a story that you love and cherish and that you worked and slaved over. But like Stephen King says, sometimes you have to kill your babies.

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