How many revision passes does a novel need?

Plan at least three: one for structure, one for characters and consistency, one for style. Add a proofreading pass before submitting, ideally by someone else.

Is my progress saved?

Yes, in this browser only: your ticks and added items are kept if you come back on the same device. Nothing is sent to a server.

Free novel revision checklist (tick off and download)

Progress0/25 · 0 %

Your ticks stay in this browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

Structure and plot0/5

I can summarize the story in two sentences.
Every scene changes something (situation, relationship, information).
The midpoint and the climax land roughly where they should.
Every promise made to the reader gets a payoff.
The ending answers the question raised at the start.

Characters0/4

The protagonist wants something concrete from the start.
Their arc shows: they don't act the same way at the end.
Every supporting character has a goal of their own.
Characters' voices are distinct without dialogue tags.

Consistency and continuity0/4

Names, ages and descriptions stay the same from chapter to chapter.
The timeline holds: dates, seasons, travel times.
No character knows something they haven't learned.
The world's rules (magic, technology, laws) don't change along the way.

Pacing and scenes0/4

No chapter is much longer or shorter without a reason.
Action scenes alternate with quieter beats.
Every chapter ends with a reason to turn the page.
Flashbacks are necessary and clearly anchored in time.

Style0/4

Tense and point of view stay consistent (or change on purpose).
Close repetitions and writing tics are fixed.
Unneeded adverbs and adjectives are cut.
The first page makes you want to read the second.

Final polish before submitting0/4

Spelling and punctuation proofread.
Standard manuscript format: readable font, double spacing, numbered pages.
Synopsis and query letter ready.
At least one outside reader has read the whole manuscript.

SagaScope

Consistency, checked across the whole manuscript

Names, ages, timeline, what each character knows: SagaScope checks those items across the whole novel and alerts you, with the quote to prove it.

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Revise from the big picture down

Revision works in layers: structure and plot first, then characters, consistency, scene pacing, and only at the end style and punctuation. Each layer can upend the next, which is why the list follows that order.

For a schedule, follow the blog's 30-day revision plan: each week covers one or two sections of this checklist.

Common questions

How many revision passes does a novel need?: Plan at least three: one for structure, one for characters and consistency, one for style. Add a proofreading pass before submitting, ideally by someone else.
Is my progress saved?: Yes, in this browser only: your ticks and added items are kept if you come back on the same device. Nothing is sent to a server.

A 30-day revision plan Revising your first draft Glossary: active proofreading All free tools

Novel revision checklist

Structure and plot0/5

Characters0/4

Consistency and continuity0/4

Pacing and scenes0/4

Style0/4

Final polish before submitting0/4

Consistency, checked across the whole manuscript

Revise from the big picture down

Common questions

And for the whole novel's consistency?

Novel revision checklist

Structure and plot0/5

Characters0/4

Consistency and continuity0/4

Pacing and scenes0/4

Style0/4

Final polish before submitting0/4

Consistency, checked across the whole manuscript

Revise from the big picture down

Common questions

See also

And for the whole novel's consistency?