Dear  Ask Tina,

I recently finished a novel and a hurried second draft under a deadline. I told myself I’d come back to the novel after two or three months of distance, but I haven’t had the motivation. I want to approach this third revision with the right tools and mindset to make it the novel I see in my head, but I’m afraid that I’m not prepared.

Is this resistance, or is it a sign that I should take more time away and pick up a craft book or two? In other words, how long should you wait between drafts to have clear eyes for your revision?

I love the column and am excited to hear your thoughts.

Sincerely,

A Reluctant Revisionist

Dear Reluctant Revisionist,

Thank you for the kind words! 

Taking a break between drafts is sound practice. You can detach, gain perspective, avoid burnout, and make time for other projects. Just how much time is too much is murky. The internet is filled with authors offering random time limits and guidelines, from two weeks to two months or more. I always find such things arbitrary. The fact that you submitted this question tells me you feel it’s time to get back in the ring. You may just be experiencing a temporary, yet persnickety, case of Resistance.

I was able to make the diagnosis by the use of the phrase “…to make it the novel I see in my head.” Alas, there’s only one “right” way to make that happen, and you know what it is: write, revise, write, revise. In her blog, Dani Shapiro identifies resistance as fear, specifically fear of not being able to achieve the ideal vision in one’s mind. Maybe you’re becoming married to the vision, and it’s keeping you from revising?  Revision taps into a different part of the brain than writing. It involves critical thinking, decision-making, and editing. When you try to do all that critical thinking with a vision or expected outcome in your head, you might be making the whole process much harder than it has to be.

The other giveaway was the idea of needing to have “the right tools.” If you were building a cabinet, that might be a good idea, but writing seems to happen absent of tools. And I suspect you already have everything you need: time, tenacity, and talent. All that’s missing at the moment is motivation. (I did try to find a synonym that started with T, but to no avail.)

I would also argue that you are more than “prepared.” How else could you have managed to write a novel and complete a first round of revisions? That accomplishment tells me you are not a chronic resistance sufferer. You just needed a breather. I’m glad you took some time to let the novel germinate. 

But here’s the problem with Resistance: we think we should somehow respect it in the name of self-care, but the experts advise otherwise. Instead, you might want to: recognize it, to say “Oh, hi, it’s you again.” Then accept it. Most writers would agree, resistance has a high recidivism rate — it is just a normal part of the writing process. Next, investigate it, ask it why it has shown up. Ask it what it might be afraid of?  Finally, thank the bugger. Say something like, “Hey, thanks for trying to protect me, but I got this.” 

Finally, here’s some practical advice curated from writers far and wide about how to get started again. I suspect you already know these tricks, but all of us fellow reluctant revisionists can benefit from some reminders: 

1. Your idea of reading a craft book or two is a good one. I find that craft books—particularly ones from my favorite authors—always get me motivated to write and revise.

2. Join an accountability group, such as Project Write Now’s Morning Pages. Writers log on at a set time, announce what they will be working on, turn off their screens and mics, and write for an hour. At the end of the hour, writers check in to discuss progress. It’s some kind of legitimate magic.

3. In that same vein, find a routine that works for you, and stick with it. Make revising akin to brushing your teeth or putting on your socks. It doesn’t have to be an eight-hour commitment. Start with 30 minutes and don’t be surprised if you’re still in the chair an hour or two later. I’ve heard it said that the only way to change your life is to keep the promises you make to yourself … not just the big ones, the little, daily promises. (I keep promising myself I’ll do that …) Set a timer, an alarm, ring a bell, or tune up your singing bowl to announce revision time!

4. Ask a fellow writer to read the novel and to give you feedback. A fresh set of eyes might provide the impetus you need to get the revision party started again.

5. Read the novel in its entirety as if you were a reader. The break will help you see it more clearly. You’ll invariably end up making changes and edits, highlighting sections you want to revisit, circling words that aren’t working, etc. Before you know it, you’re back at it.  

6. Finally, consider enrolling in the Book Revision Lab, book inc’s six-month program for creative writers ready to revise their completed manuscripts. With a focus on community, this revision program provides feedback, support, accountability, and guidance so that you can battle that resistance and start revising! book inc is currently accepting applications for its 2026 cohort. Learn more here.

It’s time, Reluctant Revisionist. You did the right thing by taking a break. Now, don’t wait for the hypothetical right tools, right mindset, or the right level of preparation. They don’t exist. You can do this!

Do you have a writing-related dilemma? Send your questions to asktina@projectwritenow.org. Selected questions will be featured in upcoming columns, and Tina will ensure her answers offer valuable insights for writers facing similar challenges.