How to REWRITE A NOVEL (start to finish)

[@commanmatt4922]

I don't think I need an editor. My gramer, and spélling is always bester then evryoun elsez',

[@AbbieEmmons]

😂😂😂

[@besmanbou3349]

I wanna be your first client! 😇

[@Jadencfilms]

I now right? Me to! I always have to correct everyone because they’re grammar is so bad and their like always asking why I have to fix they’re mistakes when they say “Your not even that good ither.” But cmon im obviosly one of the bestest when it comes to grammar,

[@Daketnietweet]

Mine is terrible. Definitely when i am trying to write something in English.

[@Jadencfilms]

Blue Maca We were all being sarcastic and joking😂

[@alilbitmads]

Just found your channel and I'm obsessed! I completed my first ever novel this last november for nanowrimo and now I'm daunted at the task of rewriting it and filling in the scenes I had to skip. Def gonna binge your vids for inspo!

[@AbbieEmmons]

Wow thank you so much! This comment brightened my day. I'm so glad you like my channel! 💛✨

[@MariJadeWrites]

Did you rewrite it? 😊

[@myahg2241]

You should do a "all about my novel" video !! I would love to know about the books youre working on

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you, Myah!! Maybe I will do a video like that! 😊

[@meowmocha12]

You start by screaming, running around in circles, and saying that we're all gonna die. Then you cower in fear of your manuscript, and then you never ever accomplish anything. Ever. Yeah, maybe I'll let you give the advice, Abbie. You seem a lot calmer and less prone to rewritephobia. I never save dialogue or scenes, do I, guys? (characters roll their eyes and mutter about multitudes of files) Pro Writing Aid: LONG SENTENCES, TOO MANY ADVERBS!!! Me: (trembles in fear) I have a book to rewrite, and instead I haven't been doing much writing of ANY sort. I need to get back into that.

[@AbbieEmmons]

Rewritephobia, yes! THE STRUGGLE IS REAL 😂 I'm glad you liked this video!

[@Ilsaatje]

​@@AbbieEmmonsyess but by me it is that i love everything what i write and that I'm scared that I cant see what others dont like

[@chelseawritesbooks8763]

My current WIP is me rewriting a novel I started in high school. I am having so much fun with it. Getting back into it was honestly a feeling if coming home. I had so much done in the original round. I started it 12 years ago, stopped around my sophomore year of college and only just got back into it this past summer. I am very mucb enjoying getting rid of a lot of "fanfiction" type tropes 15 year old me had in there and really making it a story of intrigue and character growth and drama and high stakes.

[@AbbieEmmons]

That's so awesome!! Sometimes those stories we started a long time ago are the closest to our heart and that just makes them so much more fun to re-write. Good luck!! 😊

[@juliaherkel8051]

I've been wanting to rewrite a story someday of mine from 3 years ago because the idea was great but the writing itself was rubbish. :P Thanks for this video!

[@AbbieEmmons]

Yes Julia you should definitely rewrite it!! I'm sure it has lots of potential! 😊💛

[@gametime3904]

I am actually watching this right after I finished my first draft. I never imagined my novel would go so far at the beginning, or even be a novel, so I ignored it many times. But when I actually saw the potential, I started writing more and more and practicing and finding my writing style. Now the end of my story is my best writing, and the beginning is when I wasn't much of a writer. I love the last 10 or so chapters, and I want to restore my beginning chapters to do the same. if you really read all that props to you😅

[@iamluyu]

Omfg it just happens the exact same thing to me!! And when I've rewritten the first portion of the story I start polishing the second half of the story, and then I realize there's still a technical and style imbalance between the two parts. Ahahahahahah it's just an endless cycle of editing and rewriting😂😂😂😂

[@nmmorton]

Abbie, this is exactly the video I needed!! I wrote my first novel ten years ago in "pantser" mode and completed a first draft. Then I started learning so much about story structure and all the rest, and wanted to rewrite it, but I had no idea where to start... Thanks so much for the words of wisdom!

[@iamronidog]

Oh man I love the Hemingway App!

[@AbbieEmmons]

IT'S SO GREAT

[@nikkinewbie6014]

“When you start filtering your plot (what happens) through your characters (why it matters)”…that really resonates with me. It’s the way Abbie words her guidance! That’s why it clicks into place for me!

[@iviebrooks7768]

I love that Fixer Upper reference. :D IT'S DEMO DAYYYYY!!! XD XD Rewriting a novel is tough, but if I didn't keep rewriting Uprising, it wouldn't be where it is. I have my lovely Gamma readers going through chapters as I edit and I'M SO EXCITED!!!! I don't know if I ever had a method for the madness, but whatever I did worked. XD XD This is such an inspiring video! There's a lot that I have to do with some other books when their times come. My Alpha reader is my mom, too. She's awesome!

[@AbbieEmmons]

HAHA THANK YOU FOR GETTING THAT FIXER UPPER REFERENCE. 😂 I wanted to make soooo many more references but I resisted the urge… haha. WAIT WHAT IS A GAMMA READER??? And omg I'm so pumped to read your book, girl. 💛 rewriting is definitely worth it, even though it sucks sometimes!! YEET. love you dude ✨

[@iviebrooks7768]

A Gamma reader is what some people use after edits, so it's like beta readers, but more of a proofread to make sure you caught everything. I'm only doing that as my editor doesn't go through manuscripts more than once. So I have a couple of close friends to check and see how things are looking and if they make sense. :D Rewriting can be so annoying! But it truly is worth it to see the end result. LOVE YOU, GIRL!

[@s.m.b.8519]

Love this! I’m rewriting my novel right now and I’m both so excited to back in it but so terrified all at the same time 😂. Baby steps i tell myself because it’s not going to finish itself

[@AbbieEmmons]

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL HAHA.. rewriting can be terrifying 😂 but you can do it!! ✨ thanks so much for watching!

[@junellerayala8544]

I should've seen your channel years ago!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, after 10 years I finally decided to write again. You're an inspiration!

[@besmanbou3349]

So basically it’s like ghost writing my own novel...!!! 🤔 I’m doomed 🤣

[@garrisondinsmore5808]

Just started rewriting my novel and this is very helpful! Thank you!

[@kayleejsunshine]

Thanks Abbie, this is encouraging. I certainly had no idea what I was doing, but the process you described here is essentially the road I finally found (thru much googling, blog-reading and trial and error.) I like the idea of saving dialogue and narration that I really like. I’ve been wondering if anyone scraps the whole thing and re-writes everything, but I’ve found that my re-writes aren’t always as good as my favourite old-rights, so I like that option. All in all, thanks for the advice and tips. I do love my characters and most of what they do... I can do this!

[@milomazli]

Omg love this video. Love traveling in time. Thanks Abbie from 3 years ago for making this. Im writing a book since 12 years (yeah, read that right), I have spent the last 1,5 years putting it together and rewriting and I think its on an amazing track now. Will be one of my shiniest moment when I publish it ❤️

[@AucklandNZ1]

Thanks again Abbie, I feel a little overwhelmed with my rewrite. I've gone through and read chapter by chapter, having inserted them all into Scrivener now (thanks I'm being trained by you in this) I feel more familiar with my characters again and like a lot of what I've written, a lot of it will be murdered though ...

[@itarisita1]

I love your channel it's so helpful thanks for posting! I have written a book and a half. My first draft is an adult fantasy which I'm revising and my second is a contemporary celebrity romance. They both have been super fun to write but I'm surprisingly loving the editing process as well.

[@keerthipavuluri2732]

I was scared about rewriting but now I really gave a good idea and courage to do it ,thank you so much Abbie ❤️

[@ChaseCharaba]

Great video! I’m currently rewriting a novel for NaNo. So far in my new outline I’ve changed much of the plot and changed the antagonist. Once I get my protagonist and antagonist fleshed out more, I think it will be a great month. I also like to go line by line with my rewrites.

[@AbbieEmmons]

Wow, sounds like you're making some great changes!! I hope you have an awesome NaNo and thank you so much for watching! ✨

[@dorialine1]

I'm in love with your content

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you so much!! 💛

[@maddielyons7979]

I’m thinking about rewriting one of my old book series I wrote. I decided to start by rewriting a series that’s not mine. I rewrote Stephanie Meyer's Twilight. I rewrote Bella's depression storyline, because, truth be told, it wasn’t written very well. I also changed the covers to a plain, black, leather hard cover. I feel like If Stephanie Meyer wrote them that way, it would’ve been so much better!

[@keerthipavuluri2732]

Thank you so much for addressing this issue Abbie❤️❤️❤️ u gave me a big shoulder

[@sahare786]

we love Abbie's old vids!! thank you for this. :)

[@PeachyLofi]

Crying rn, just got done with my manuscript, thought I legit did everything. I had profiles, an outline, all of it. Figured out there was an issue with the romance, which had to do with the plot itself. Thought I was almost done and got so excited, only to figure out I have to rewrite every word. I feel so dumb right now words can't even describe it.

[@oliviaelderberry9423]

I do need an editor. I think that I could instead of getting an editor I could just have like three or four friends go through it. Between them they will probably find everything. Here's my rewriting list... Copy your old book. (You may want to look back at it) Correct all spelling mistakes. (It will make it easier to read) Read it. Highlight all areas you want to keep. Take out and add characters. Open a new page. Start rewriting adding in the things you wanted to keep. DONE You may have to do this process several times. Usually because you will probably keep wanting to change the beginning. And everytime that happens you have to restart.

[@SabhyataSahu]

i abandoned a story because the first draft got lost and i wasn't getting any views on it. so i only tried to find those papers in the house instead of rewriting it. and now it has been a year and i forgot what i had initially planned so that's why i am here

[@EaglesRead]

I love this video! You made some really great points and I can't wait to utilize them when I go back to rewrite m current WIP

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad you liked this video and found it helpful, Jessica! 😊💛 thank you for watching!

[@sheenatelegrapo8725]

Thank you so much Ate Abbie!I've been watching your vids and I learned a lot.Thank You so much!Finally,I can now rewrite my story

[@oliviathompson5490]

i like to have a clean slate and do a complete rewrite

[@AbbieEmmons]

awesome!! ✨

[@newtoatheism5968]

That’s what I always do for second draft

[@Writerbyhand]

2:50 Nope! My characters suck, they have no growth, nothing about it. My story is just super intense, and that's why I like it. I desperately need to fix my characters.

[@authorgkray]

Even while working on my current WIP, I have another story in the wings I've been working on. It's a rewrite/revisit of characters I've told stories about when I was a kid. Now, like me, they're grown up and dealing with shit lol.

[@AbbieEmmons]

Oooh that's such a cool idea, G.K.! makes me want to write stories about the characters I used to write when I was a kid :") Thank you for watching!

[@authorgkray]

@@AbbieEmmons You're welcome! I love your content so far.

[@SnowyMelonGhost]

I had to rewatch this video because I want to rewrite my first novel, but I hate rewriting it.

[@annatheawesome1]

To rewrite, one must have first written... I recently stayed up all night capturing the main movements for a rewrite of a story I came up with as an early teen. The original had three main characters and way too much exposition. You already knew how the story would end before you finished chapter two! XD

[@kathyl6677]

I came across something recently that said the MC's want should be unrelated to the plot line. Luke Skywalker's want was to get off the farm. He was thinking of going to the academy, not fighting the Empire... not until his aunt and uncle died, and Obi Wan had told him about his father. --- What I'm getting at is, what IS the MC's want? Also, since this is about rewriting a story that isn't working, IS your MC -- or SHOULD your MC -- be the MC? Maybe the plot is suited better to one of the other characters. I have more backstory and trauma related to the sidekick than my MC. --- Maybe also look at the order of events. Maybe, as in my case, the MC thinks he wants one thing, finds out how dangerous it is and wants to back out, but THEN finds out it's become personal (Like with Luke Skywalker), and becomes determined to follow through with the main adventure.

[@rhett-says-hullo4229]

i am rewriting my novel rn GOOD TIMING. the only reason Im rewriting is because I think my protagonist deserves better. my baby.

[@cosmicprison9819]

I started rewriting the only story I ever wrote (but it's a big one) in 2015. Pantsed back then, now it's outlining, theme and characters above all else. Now I at least have a good excuse why I haven't finished it yet: Your videos didn't really start before 2018, and I just discovered them a few days ago... 😂

[@MelTorrefranca]

Hmmm very interesting!! I’ve been debating rewriting an old book of mine simply for a while now, but the idea exhausts me. I do love one specific scene, though. Maybe I’ll do it someday! 😂

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad this video inspired you Mel! 💛✨ thank you so much for watching

[@CharlesWarrenOnline]

I really enjoy your writing vids.

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you so much!! ✨

[@Seiferboi]

I need to go through the process and it will end up changing a whole lot of things! It's a nightmare lol!

[@soukowonder]

I have this writing style which is kind of similar to wine, the older it is the better it gets. And it's not due to practicing it just happens. Due to this i have rewriten my manuscript 6 times, and I can't stop. The story is already nice and I get good feedback already so I feel that rewriting the manuscript 6 times is enough but I can't stop at all because I want it to be it's best. But in that case if I continue this prototype might be rewritten over a couple thousand times. Any tips for this?

[@newtoatheism5968]

I’m not even sure where my very first first draft is but I still remember some of the story

[@Anonymous-wi6ig]

I could never delete a whole story of mine even if it was trash because there's always potential to make it better.

[@kookiecookies6752]

Ive never been scared to write a book, but to rewrite a book? That's a different story...

[@MasDeNadiaEscritora]

Hi Abbie! I have a novel that I left it to take some air, but I definetely will have to rewrite it. So I’ll follow your advices 😉

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you so much, Nadia!! I'm so glad this video inspired you! 😊

[@alexandraroselyn]

Love that hashtag girl. Took some notes down! Great video :)

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you so much, Alexandra! I'm so glad you liked this video 💛✨

[@ImholdingKevinhostage]

One question kinda unrelated to this video but it's urgent. I've seen some people say they rewrote some stories like "Tangled", for example. Fixed the age gap and everything. I was wondering if that's legal and to what extent?

[@kharagillock8467]

There's this story i keep thinking about going back to but i have no idea how to fix it

[@RoseShojo]

Hey Abbie! First of all, I'd like to say THANK YOU for your amazing/badass/damngood videos. They are awesome and everytime I feel like throwing my computer -and my non-cooperative characters- by the window and choosing to become a florist instead of a writer, I just need to watch one of your video and I am ready to get back up again. Now that your fantastic greatness is officially a matter of public knowledge, I have a question. I am trying to revise/rewrite my novel. So far, I have this entire giant mess that I deeply love and care about to fix and I don't know where to start : should I attempt to fix first the characters, the plot or the worldbuilding? All of the 3 needs a LOT of attention but everytime I try to start, I feel paralyzed because I don't know what or who to fix first. I know characters are super important to you but here, would you start with them or the plot? I already pin down all of the problems after a read-through the entire book but I just don't know what part to tackle. What would you suggest/do? And as a hardcore plotter, If you were writing for a serie of books, would you plot them all before starting writing the first one or plot them book by book, after you finish each one ? Thank you in advance for your respond, (sorry for the rambling, I am just veryyyy confused right now -and slightly desperate). Send you big bear hugs from Belgium, Sarah.

[@AbbieEmmons]

WOW OH MY GOODNESS THIS COMMENT BRIGHTENED MY DAY. 💛✨ thank you, Sarah!! It makes me so happy to know that my videos have inspired you and helped you through some of the struggle of the writing process! I think it's so cool that you're rewriting your book and putting in the time and effort to make it great even though it might seem like a hot mess right now! 👏 YOU GO GIRL. As for what you should tackle first, I think it probably depends on how much things are going to change in your book. So like for instance, if your setting/genre is going to change a lot, maybe sort out that first before sorting out the plot because the setting a genre will have a big impact on the plot. Characters can really be developed (at least abstractly) apart from everything else, (like you could create a character and then stick them in almost any story, their external journey will just be different.) HAHA I FEEL LIKE THIS ISN'T A HELPFUL REPLY but maybe that will spark some ideas?? If you'd like to chat more about this feel free to shoot me a message on instagram: @abbieeofficial 😊

[@midnightarcticfoxproductio1282]

Well I'm trying to write a story that was really bad but now trying to make it good

[@newtoatheism5968]

My story is currently in development and I’ve been combining ideas

[@newtoatheism5968]

But what if my current work in progress needs some rewriting just some

[@arkfounder7056]

Is it a bad idea to do this after it's published as well?

[@giseledute]

amazing video ♥

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you!

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

When you re-write a novel, do you write without looking through your notes or do you write it while seeing it, I know this is a weird question but I asked it before to other writers and wanted to a response. I don't know if I am going to get it. Or do you write a novel while looking through your rough draft?

[@ginacaparotta7971]

I'm taking a sword and hacking almost everything out of my werewolf story and starting over. there is not saving half of it. I must have been drunk when i wrote it.

[@newtoatheism5968]

My novel needs a serious overhaul. I mean my current project

[@KaytlynR.Spicer]

I have rewritten a novel, because I was ten when I wrote it and looked back at it three years later and decided it sucked and rewrote it 😂

[@FunkyLikeFeathers]

Is Hemmingway not free anymore???

[@AbbieEmmons]

The online version is free! The desktop app is $25 and the only difference is that you can save documents within the app. :)

[@FunkyLikeFeathers]

@@AbbieEmmons Awesome! Thank you! And thanks for all of the videos!

[@kbear6797]

Lol no, I finished my novel, but it's just a mess 😳😳

[@lamacold8979]

Hi u got a sub

[@rajusiripuram4544]

superb video...it gave me the courage and a hidden support. thanks #abbieemmons

[@stgr6669]

How about "rewriting a novel" that is not "your novel"? I mean, you look on someone else's work and think that there are great characters or a thrilling plot, but something is missing. For example, Jules Verne had a great vision when it came to the plot and the technical stuff, but I can't really connect to his characters. Or, in some stories by Agatha Christie, it looks like she was just shoehorning Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple in for marketing reasons, instead of leading the cast from the individual novel solve the case.