Revising your Novel: Playing in the Sandbox

Before I wrote my novel, I scoured the internet, searching for facts about how to write one. I got all the books, I took all the seminars, and I attended all the events. I learned a lot about how to get started, how to write a first draft, and at the end, how to find a publisher. But all of these educational materials skipped one very important stage: Revising your novel.

Now that I have written my novel and made it through that writing process, I have some things to share about how the process of revising your novel works.

First, have you ever seen this quote?

I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.

Shannon Hale

I never understood what this quote meant before I began working on my novel, because I never understood what came after a first draft. Many articles, videos, classes, etc. about writing failed to explain the drafting process.

I’ve learned a lot while revising my own novel, so here are the steps of revising your novel as I see them:

Step 1: Plan

Don’t skip this step. I know many writers do, believing instead that a story comes from pure inspiration. While elements of the story may be inspired, the whole thing will not stand on inspiration alone.

Think of planning like creating a blueprint for your sandcastle. You can start stacking sand without knowing if you want towers, walls, or a moat, but you’ll have a much better looking castle if you have an idea in advance. Similarly, your novel needs a basic structure before you begin writing.

The good news is that planning doesn’t have to be anything crazy. I recommend writing down your main story milestones just so you can keep in mind where you’re headed as you write. Trust me, writing a first draft can sometimes feel like slogging through a swamp. It’s super easy to lose your way and forget what you came here for. A plan is like a map to keep you focused on your goals.

Try creating a simple outline with your major plot points, character arcs, and any essential world-building elements. This will serve as your guide when you inevitably get lost in the weeds of your first draft.

Step 2: Write

Some writers say you should write your first draft in one sitting, but let’s be honest, if you’re writing a book-length novel, that’s unreasonable. My first draft, handwritten, took me about 3 months to complete between juggling work and family responsibilities.

This is where Shannon Hale’s sandbox metaphor really comes into its own. Your first draft is all about getting the sand into the right shape. Don’t worry about making perfect castles yet. Write messy. Write ugly. Write scenes that might not make it to the final draft. The goal here isn’t perfection; it’s completion.

I recommend writing every day and just keep moving forward. Even keep a second notebook or document for notes, so you don’t start writing out of order. It means you can jot down great ideas for chapters without skipping too far ahead.

Step 3: Plan (Again)

Wait, didn’t we already say this? Well, yes, but now that you have a whole first draft, it’s time to start planning again!

You have the whole sandbox filled with sand and it’s in the right basic shape, so now it’s time to start figuring out how to best structure and add detail to that sandcastle, so to speak.

This is where the real architectural work begins. With your sandbox full of raw material, you can start designing. Read through your first draft and ask: What themes naturally emerged? Which characters grew beyond their original roles? What plot points need strengthening? What scenes don’t serve the story?

Create a revision plan that addresses both big-picture issues (plot structure, character arcs, pacing) and smaller concerns (scene transitions, dialogue, description). This is also the time to identify any plot holes or inconsistencies that need fixing.

Step 4: Write (Again)

Wait a minute, is she pranking me?

No, I absolutely am not. It’s true, this process is repetitive and constantly cycles between planning and writing. As you go, you will have to do less and less of it as you reach nearer to the finished product, but ultimately, you will keep repeating this process until you’re done.

This second (and third, and fourth) round of writing is where you transform your rough piles of sand into towers, battlements, and decorative details. You’ll strengthen character motivations, sharpen dialogue, enhance descriptions, and ensure every scene drives the story forward. With each pass, your novel becomes more refined, more focused, and more powerful.

The Art of Building Sandcastles

Remember that magnificent sandcastles don’t emerge fully formed. They require layers of work: the initial packing of sand, the rough shaping of forms, the careful carving of details, and finally, the delicate finishing touches that bring the whole structure to life.

Your novel is no different. Each cycle of planning and writing builds on the previous one, transforming your initial pile of sand into something great. Don’t rush this process. Embrace the messiness of creation, celebrate the discoveries you make along the way, and most importantly, enjoy playing in your sandbox. After all, that’s where the magic happens.