Deep Revision: How to Structure Chapters

AVOID PLOT HOLES, EVEN OUT PACING, CREATE WHOLENESS

Here’s my idea: literally create spread sheet. In the first column, invent a name for the scene. In the second, enter the first sentence. Third: enter the final sentence. New line: name the scene.

• The first line of the scene should reflect the title you’ve chosen for the scene.
• The last line should reflect the title of the next scene or the first sentence.

Repeat the process as many times as necessary, until the chapter is complete.

In addition to lining up your scenes so they create a chapter, you will have reason to examine every scene, very sentence, every word choice. Problems will emerge. Perfect!

This is not the draft which you should focus on spelling and grammar. This edit is to work the draft. Deeply. It will be hard. It will be worth it.