If you're new to writing fiction, here's something you need to hear: messy first drafts are not only okay, they’re essential. That initial version of your story is just the beginning. The real magic happens during revision.

But if you’re like most beginning writers, the revision process can feel overwhelming. You might wonder: Where do I start? What should I be looking for? How do I know what to keep and what to cut?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Revision doesn’t have to be mysterious or intimidating. In fact, it can be one of the most rewarding parts of the writing process once you know how to approach it.

Here are five tips to help you strengthen your fiction and gain confidence as a storyteller as you step into the revision process for the first time.

Let Your Draft Breathe

Once you finish a draft, your instinct might be to dive right into revision. But trust me—the best thing you can do is walk away for a while. Give your brain time to reset and create distance between you and your words.

When you come back, you’ll see your writing more objectively. You'll catch things like awkward phrasing, inconsistent character behavior, or pacing problems that felt invisible when you were “too close” to the work.

Even just 24 hours can make a huge difference. A few days is even better. This isn’t slacking—it’s strategy.

One criterion for me regarding how long to wait is length. A short essay might only need to sit for a few days. However, a longer project you’ve spent a lot of time on might require you to step away for several weeks.

There are no rules for how long to let your work breathe. The more experience you get as a writer, the more you’ll discover what works best for your process.

Kori’s Pro Tip: While you wait, jot down anything that’s bugging you about the piece or ideas you have for improvement. That way, you don’t lose momentum, and when you return to the piece, you have a list of places to start.

Read It Out Loud

One of the simplest, most powerful revision tools is your own voice. That’s because reading your work aloud activates a different part of your brain than silent reading.

You’ll notice if your dialogue sounds stilted or if your sentence rhythms are off. You’ll hear the words the way a reader might experience them—and that’s invaluable.

Pay attention to:

• Sentences you stumble over

• Repetitive words or phrases

• Passages that go on too long and belabor the point or slow down the story

• Dialogue that doesn’t sound human

  
  

This technique is beneficial for writing natural conversations between characters. If it sounds weird when you say it, it’ll probably feel off to a reader too.

Kori’s Pro Tip: Feel awkward about reading your work to yourself? Ask a friend if you can read your story to them. This has an added bonus of physically seeing how they react to the story.

Focus on Big Picture Issues, Not the Small Stuff

A common mistake many new writers make during revision is obsessing over sentence structure, word choice, or grammar before fixing the story’s core plot and character elements.

Imagine you’re renovating your living room. There are exposed beams, uncovered drywall, and a hole in the ceiling that needs patching.

When these major issues haven't been resolved, you won’t start picking out vintage furniture or hanging drapes and pictures. And that’s precisely what you need to avoid with your rough draft.

So, before you start polishing your prose and correcting grammar, take a step back and ask:

• Does the plot make sense?

• Are the characters consistent and believable?

• Is the pacing right?

• Does each scene earn its place?

  
  

This will help you address the more serious issues in your work and ensure the story’s foundation is solid.

Kori’s Pro Tip: Try creating a scene-by-scene summary of your draft. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of your story and quickly spot scenes that feel redundant or off-track.

Ask: “What Is This Scene Really Doing?”

Every scene in your story should serve a purpose. It should advance the plot, reveal character, increase tension, or ideally, all three.

During revision, go through each scene and ask:

• What changes here?

• What does the reader learn?

• Would the story still work without this scene?

  
  

Sometimes, new writers include scenes they love—because of clever dialogue, rich description, or personal attachment—that don’t move the story forward. And while there’s room for beauty and mood, every moment still needs to matter.

If a scene doesn’t have a job, it probably doesn’t belong.

Kori’s Pro Tip: If a scene isn’t working, try combining it with another scene or rewriting it from a different character’s perspective. Sometimes a shift in approach is all it needs.

Ask for the Right Kind of Feedback

When you're ready to share your work, resist asking, “Do you like it?”

That’s too vague—and it sets you up for either overly nice or harsh feedback. Instead, ask targeted questions that help you understand how the story is landing.

For example:

• Were there any parts where you got confused?

• Did the main character’s actions feel believable?

• Did you feel emotionally connected to the ending?

  
  

Good feedback gives you insight, not just opinions. It helps you revise confidently instead of second-guessing yourself.

Kori’s Pro Tip: Always choose readers who understand the kind of story you're trying to tell. You don’t need a critic—you need a thoughtful reader who can reflect your story back to you.

Remember: Revision is Where Your Story Becomes Real

Don’t forget: first drafts are for you, not the reader. Revision is where you start shaping the story for someone else, for the reader who needs your words.

If you're brand-new to writing and are revising your first piece of fiction, congratulations! You’re doing brave, creative work and learning a skill that separates hobbyists from real-deal writers.

The more you practice revision, the more intuitive it becomes. You’ll start seeing your work through an editor’s lens. You’ll develop a sharper eye. You’ll learn to shape your story into something powerful, moving, and uniquely yours.

Need Help Revising a Story?

Looking at a completed draft of a piece can feel overwhelming, whether it’s a novel, an essay, or a story. It’s easy to get tripped up and distracted as you consider everything you need to consider as you improve your work.

That’s why I created the Story Revision Scorecard, a resource that helps you pinpoint exactly where to start tightening up your story.

The Story Revision Scorecard breaks down the top six areas where early drafts tend to break down and lets you rank where your work currently stands in each of them so you can prioritize what elements need the most attention.

Stop being stressed out and start creating an enjoyable, productive plan for revision.

Grab your scorecard here!