If revising your novel feels like you’re chasing your own tail, you’re definitely not the only one! Even those of us who adore the editing stage sometimes end up here.
But there’s definitely a reason you’re hitting this wall.
Your story isn’t broken (I know, you’ve probably thought that a few times). More likely, you’ve been revising without a clear, layered plan.
“But Tessy! I have a list of revisions.”
Mhmm, I hear you. But let me explain why that still might not be an actual revision plan, and what you can do instead to finally move forward. ✨
What we’re covering in this post:
The Mistake: Revising Without a Strategy
I see so many authors dive into edits with vague goals: make it better, fix the pacing, add emotion. And while that feels like a plan, it’s not a strategy built from actionable steps.
Without a clear roadmap, you end up tweaking surface-level issues over and over again. 😩
Sure, it might look like you’re making improvements—but it’s not having the deep impact you’re aiming for. That’s exactly what leads to frustration, wasted time, and the feeling that your book is never quite “done.”
I’ve seen this cycle zap the creative spirit of so many writers, and my job is to stop that from happening to you.
Why You Need a Layered Revision Plan
Great revisions are intentional. Focused. And (this part’s key) you don’t try to fix everything at once.
I’m not just talking about separating developmental, line, and copy edits. Even within your developmental edits, there are layers: foundational elements like character arcs, plot structure, and theme must come before scene flow, tension, and emotional resonance.
A layered approach means you’re solving the right problems at the right time. And that’s how you escape the endless revision spiral. 🔄
This is exactly what my Stories in Layers editing method is designed to do. It gives you clarity, order, and momentum—so you’re not left guessing what to fix next.
With my evaluations, I build you a step-by-step plan rooted in strategy. That way, you can start editing with purpose and confidence.
An example of editing without a layered revision plan? Picture this: you’re reading through your manuscript, and you get to a scene that needs some extra tension. You jot down a note that says, “add tension”. When you return to it, you start adding micro plot points to raise the tension.
This seems good, but then a beta reader tells you that it isn’t having the impact you think it is. Why? You added tension, right? But perhaps it’s not the right kind of tension because you didn’t anchor it in character emotions, motivations, and stakes.
Having a layered plan of action helps you address your revisions in a way that has true impact.
Common Signs You’re Stuck in a Revision Loop
Not sure if this is where you are? Here are some signs you might be caught in the cycle:
- You’ve read your manuscript so many times, you barely feel anything when you do.
- You’re making changes, but you’re not sure they’re actually helping.
- You’ve edited the same chapter five times, but something still feels “off.” (This one is especially common for the first chapter!)
- You keep getting vague feedback like “it’s close, but something’s missing.”
- You feel overwhelmed by your revision list (and keep adding to it).
I know it can be frustrating to realize you’re in this spot, but trust me. It doesn’t have to stay this way! You just need a solid plan.
Try This First — A Simple Start
Want a sneak peek into how this layered approach works?
Start with one foundational layer: your protagonist’s goal and motivation.
Ask yourself:
- What does your MC want?
- What’s driving them to pursue it?
- Is this goal consistent and clearly communicated to the reader?
- (It can shift as your character grows—but your reader should always understand how and why.)
Focusing on this single layer will immediately show you which scenes need to be tightened, shifted, or deepened.
✅ Want to go further? Try out The Layered Character Arc Blueprint, a free character self-editing tool that helps you shape powerful, memorable arcs your readers will feel in their bones.
How I Help You Break Down the Cycle
A strong editor doesn’t just give you feedback—they give you direction.
I had a client come to me recently who had spent over a year rewriting her story. She was still having problems getting scenes to land the way she wanted them to, and she was nearly ready to give up on writing. My heart broke a little bit because I’ve been there. I’m a writer too, and I know how hard it is to not be able to untangle the mess.
After reading and going through the layers of her story, I was able to pinpoint that she had quite a number of unneccessary scenes that weren’t moving the plot forward, and they were bogging down her main character’s growth arc. So, we worked together to create a plan to cut and trim some scenes and elevate others to really highlight the growth her character was making. It was a huge stride in the right direction, and revisions became easier because of it.
When you have a huge pile of notes (from yourself or from others), you can still be left wondering: Where do I start? What do I fix first?
Feedback without a framework isn’t enough. And it’s why I do things differently.
My manuscript evaluations give you a complete, personalized revision strategy that includes:
- In-line comments to help you see your story more clearly
- Deep breakdowns in an edit letter that explain what’s working, what’s not, and why
- Visual story maps that show your narrative structure in a way that actually makes sense
- A custom action plan that walks you through your next steps, all rooted in my Stories in Layers method
These tools don’t just tell you what’s wrong—they empower you to fix it in a way that feels focused and achievable.
You Deserve Clarity, Not Chaos
It’s not that your story isn’t working.
It’s that you haven’t had a structure to guide your revision. You haven’t had the kind of support that helps you revise with clarity instead of spinning in circles.
Revision doesn’t have to be chaotic. It doesn’t have to feel endless.
Your story has layers—and so does a good editing plan. That’s what I’m here to help you build. 💛
Let’s create a personalized roadmap for your story—one that gives you the clarity and momentum you’ve been missing.
👉 Curious how this works in practice? Check out my editing services here and see how we can work together to bring your story to life with intention.
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