Rewriting Archives - alanwatt.com

Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Resources, Rewriting

Reverse Outlining: Gaining a New Perspective

What is reverse outlining? While many writers outline before they write a single scene, others follow a “pantser” method where they follow […]

Alan WattSeptember 12, 2026

Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

Abridged vs. Unabridged: The Essentials of a Story

Considering the difference between a story that’s abridged vs. unabridged hints at something profound about what makes a story tick. The gap […]

Alan WattAugust 20, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

Collaborative Editing: How to Receive Feedback Without Losing Your Voice

Collaborative editing goes beyond the technical aspects. It’s a partnership to make your work the best it can be. Writing begins independently, […]

Alan WattAugust 19, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

Critical Feedback

You’ve finally sent your manuscript to a beta reader, critique partner, or editor. You’re very eager to hear what they have to […]

Alan WattAugust 18, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

The Benefit of Sensitivity Readers

You’ve written something brave, but it explores areas you’re concerned might potentially offend a specific group of people or culture. Perhaps you’ve […]

Alan WattAugust 17, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting

The 4 Stages of Book Editing

You finished a polished draft of your manuscript. Congratulations! That is a huge accomplishment, and I’m going to tell you something that […]

Alan WattAugust 10, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

The Critique Circle Every Serious Writer Eventually Needs

Is there value in joining a critique circle? Writing is one of the most solitary of all professions. You sit alone, staring […]

Alan WattJuly 19, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting

Line Editing: Transform Good Writing Into Great Writing

Perhaps you’ve been working hard on your rewrite, but something is still off and you’re not quite sure how to fix it. […]

Alan WattJuly 15, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

The Ultimate Guide to Developmental Editing

If you’ve been working on a rough draft of your story for a while, and find yourself thinking, This is good, but […]

Alan WattJuly 9, 2026

Blog, Free, General, Resources, Rewriting

Descriptive Adjectives: Choosing Words That Create Emotion

Almost every writer has, at some point, re-read something they worked hard on and realized it wasn’t quite right. It lays flat […]

Alan WattJuly 3, 2026

Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Resources, Rewriting

Revising vs. Editing: Why Mixing Them Up Is Costing More Than You Think

You might be wondering, Aren’t revising and editing the same thing? They’re not. There’s actually an important distinction. Let’s say you’re working […]

Alan WattJune 26, 2026

Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

Copy Editing

Copy editing is a specific type of editing that focuses on both the technical aspects of your writing and the overall flow: […]

Alan WattMay 24, 2026

Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

The Rewrite

Once you’ve completed an editing checklist on your manuscript, you may find that your story requires a more substantial rewrite. Often dreaded […]

Alan WattMay 5, 2026

Blog, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Resources, Rewriting

Book Outline: Where Do I Start?

Transform your draft with a book outline. Learn 5 proven methods to map your character’s journey, master story structure, and beat the blank page today.

Alan WattApril 4, 2026

Blog, General, Resources, Rewriting

Filtering

Filtering will disengage any good reader. Experiment with your sentences and you can cut down on this bad habit to hook your reader.

Alan WattApril 2, 2026

Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting

Beta Readers: Finding Trusted Insight for Your Work

Beta readers help writers feel safe to fall deeper into their work. Balance the proximity that your beta readers might have to you and your work and articulate the right framework to get what you and your work need most from them.

Alan WattApril 1, 2026

Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting

Extended Metaphors: Turning Simple Comparisons into Lasting Impact

Metaphors are one of the first additions to our writing toolbox, usually paired with the simile in our high school English class. […]

Alan WattFebruary 16, 2026

Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting, Screenwriting

What is a Thematic Statement? Examples and Writing Strategies

Your story’s thematic statement is the central argument that drives your narrative. Writers sometimes obsess over their plot to the point that […]

Alan WattJanuary 31, 2026

Reverse Outlining: Gaining a New Perspective

Abridged vs. Unabridged: The Essentials of a Story

Collaborative Editing: How to Receive Feedback Without Losing Your Voice

Critical Feedback

The Benefit of Sensitivity Readers

The 4 Stages of Book Editing

The Critique Circle Every Serious Writer Eventually Needs

Line Editing: Transform Good Writing Into Great Writing

The Ultimate Guide to Developmental Editing

Descriptive Adjectives: Choosing Words That Create Emotion

Revising vs. Editing: Why Mixing Them Up Is Costing More Than You Think

Copy Editing

The Rewrite

Book Outline: Where Do I Start?

Filtering

Beta Readers: Finding Trusted Insight for Your Work

Extended Metaphors: Turning Simple Comparisons into Lasting Impact

What is a Thematic Statement? Examples and Writing Strategies

Workshops

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