One common mistake I made early on in my writing journey was to finish a draft and then jump straight into reading it, fiddling with sentences, and tweaking small details. It’s easy to fall into this trap, but as any seasoned writing coach will tell you, there’s a better way.
If you’re at this stage, stop where you are. Take a step back and get some distance from your work. This is the ideal moment to evaluate your book’s structure before you start fine-tuning individual sentences or rewriting awkward phrases. A successful writer—and one guided by expert writing advice—knows this is the time to embrace a bird’s eye view of their project.
Think of it this way: right now, you’re looking at the forest, not the trees. You’ll prune those trees and reshape them later. For now, ask yourself: What does this forest represent? Does it look like a bear? A rabbit? Or is it sprawling off into territory where it doesn’t belong? Book coaching often emphasizes shaping your work to align with your goals, and this stage is crucial for doing just that.
Taking on this task may not come naturally, but it’s key to honing your vision as a writer. Pause and mindfully say, “I’m shifting gears. This is where I map out what’s next.” This structured approach is foundational in book coaching and writing advice, helping you see the big picture without becoming bogged down in minor edits.
One practical tip for writers: document what scenes you already have. Write down each scene, then make notes on them. For instance, if a scene feels awkward or needs a rewrite, add a comment. If you’re working in a Word document, consider marking notes in bold or brackets, such as, “Needs rewriting.”
Through this process, you’ll not only gain the big-picture view but also create a to-do list for future revisions. By the time you’re ready to rewrite, you’ll have a clear roadmap in hand. But for now, keep it simple—focus on documenting what’s there.
Avoid getting attached to what’s good or bad in your draft at this stage. Instead, just jot down your observations and reactions, giving yourself room to grow as a writer. Following these steps will lead you toward a stronger, more cohesive manuscript.
