Fiction Writing Made Easy

#173. 5 Mindset Tips For Revising Your First Draft

Dec 24, 2024

Feeling anxious about revising your first draft? You're not alone! Discover why embracing the chaos of a 'hot mess' draft is key to the process. Learn how to choose the right feedback partners and manage emotional responses to critiques. A unique 3-step revision process will help shift your perspective, plus tips for focusing on your individual journey instead of comparing yourself to others. With practical strategies, turn revision fear into excitement and make your story a must-read!

27:33

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Quick takeaways

Embracing the chaos of a first draft as a stepping stone can transform revision from a daunting task into an exciting opportunity for growth.

Selecting the right feedback sources and separating personal value from criticism are essential for fostering resilience and enhancing storytelling skills during revisions.

Deep dives

Embracing the Messy First Draft

First drafts are often chaotic and filled with inconsistencies, which is completely normal and a part of the writing process. Writers should view these rough drafts as vital stepping stones rather than sources of frustration, as they are essential to eventually crafting a polished narrative. Understanding that revision is a significant undertaking can help set realistic expectations; it will likely take longer than the initial drafting phase. Acknowledging this can alleviate pressure and encourage a mindset open to improvement and growth in each editing stage.

Intro

3min

Mindset Strategies for Successful Revision

4min

Navigating the Revision Process and Embracing Feedback

5min

Navigating Feedback for Draft Revisions

8min

Crafting Your Narrative

7min

Is the thought of revising your first draft making you nauseous? I got you. These mindset tips will ease revision anxiety for good.

It's one thing to pour your heart into writing a first draft. However, facing revisions and sharing your story with others can feel raw, uncomfortable, and downright scary.

Not to worry. Every writer struggles with this novel writing phase, and that's why I've brought together four brilliant book coaches and editors to share their mindset wisdom to make the first draft revision process less scary and more exciting.

Here's what we talk about:

[02:48] Why you should absolutely love your "hot mess" first draft—it's exactly what it needs to be right now.

[08:01] The right (and wrong) people to ask for first draft feedback and how to prepare yourself emotionally for their response.

[12:40] A practical approach to handling hard-to-hear feedback so that it feels less personal and more purposeful.

[19:05] A unique 3-step revision process that transforms how you think about your first draft to turn it into a ‘must-read’ success.

[22:59] Why comparing your revision journey to other writers only holds you back—and what to focus on instead.

Tune into this episode to discover how to shift your mindset from revision fear to revision readiness. You'll walk away with practical strategies that make revisions less overwhelming, feedback less personal, and the entire process more purposeful.

And this is precisely what you need to turn your first draft into a story readers love.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

Stacy Frazer’s website and Instagram
Michelle Regenold’s website and Instagram
Leslie Horn’s website and YouTube
Caryn DeVincenti’s website and Instagram

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