Words from the Heart: The Final Chapter (Shaping the Clay)

Welcome back, fellow writers! ✍️

When we last checked in, we were building the worlds our characters call home, and we left off right as Addie's journey in Who Am I? was taking some massive, mysterious turns.

I know we skipped a step in our usual monthly chat—we didn't get to talk about the long, exhausting process of pushing through the messy middle of a first draft. As every writer knows, finishing the draft is only half the battle. Now, we enter the phase where the real magic of storytelling happens: Revision.

Since this is our very last "Words from the Heart" post together, I want to leave you with the ultimate guide on how to take a completed, messy draft and shape it into a masterpiece.

Shaping the Clay: What to Do with a Finished Draft

A first draft is just you telling yourself the story. It’s supposed to be rough. But once the word "End" is on the page, how do you begin turning that raw clay into a sculpture?

Here are the three golden rules of revision to guide you on your own writing journeys.

1. Let it Breathe (The Power of Distance)

The absolute hardest part of finishing a book is wanting to edit it immediately. Don't do it!

• The Rule of Distance: Put your manuscript in a drawer or close the digital folder, and don't look at it for at least two weeks to a month. Go outside, enjoy the sunshine, spend time with your pets, and live your life. When you return to your pages with fresh eyes, you will read them like a reader, not the writer. You’ll instantly spot the plot holes, the rushed scenes, and the moments that truly shine.

2. Look at the Skeleton, Not the Dust

When you sit down for your first revision pass, do not worry about spelling mistakes, typos, or bad grammar. That is "editing," and it comes much later. Revision is about the bones of the story.

• Check the Stakes: Does every chapter have a clear purpose? Refer back to the Five-Point Scene Structure we mastered. Make sure there is a clear turning point in every scene, and that your characters' decisions are driving the plot forward.

• Trim the Fat: In a first draft, we tend to write a lot of "fluff" just to get from point A to point B. Don't be afraid to cut out scenes, characters, or descriptions that don't serve the heart of the story.

3. Hear Your Characters Speak

The best way to make your story feel alive is to read your dialogue out loud.

• The Ear Test: If you read a conversation between your characters and find yourself running out of breath or feeling like the words sound stiff, rewrite it. Real people interrupt each other, speak in fragments, and use slang. Let your characters sound human!

A Heartfelt Goodbye

As I look back at the journey of writing this book—and sharing the process with all of you—my heart is incredibly full. But as they say, all good stories must eventually reach their final chapter.

With life becoming incredibly hectic, my workload picking up, and my sweet dog Harley currently facing some serious health issues, I have had to make some very tough choices about where to spend my energy. I have made the difficult decision to stop writing this blog so I can focus entirely on my priorities offline, especially being there for Harley when she needs me most.

Writing this column has been one of the greatest joys of my year. Sharing the creation of Addie's story, talking about outlines, and chatting with you about your own creative writing projects has meant the world to me. Thank you for reading, for encouraging me, and for being such an amazing community of creators.

Even though I am signing off, I want to leave you with one last piece of advice: Never stop writing your story. Whether you are writing a novel, a short story, a poem, or just journaling your daily thoughts, writing is how we make sense of this beautiful, messy world. Your voice is unique, your ideas matter, and there is a story inside of you that only you can tell. Don't let fear or doubt keep you from sharing it.

Thank you for everything, happy writing, and I hope all of your creative dreams come to life!

Though the blog is ending, my inbox is still open if you ever want to share your writing updates or say hello. You can reach me at everythinginbetween55@gmail.com. Keep creating!