You type that final sentence, add the end and sit back to relish the feeling of having finished your latest work. Don’t load the paper in your printer yet. It’s time to give your manuscript one final going over to make sure all the elements of your story blend together to make a cohesive whole.

Often when we write, we tend to stress one part of the book, the characters or the plot or even a particular image. But in the most powerful, thought-provoking books, one element feeds off another to give a novel greater depth.

So how do you do this final edit? First consider your basic story elements: theme/premise, characterization, setting, plot, climax and resolution. Fill out a checklist like the one below delineating how you think each should be expressed in your story. You might also want to take note of any particular imagery that plays a large role in your story.

Now that you’ve looked at the building blocks of your story separately, you want to consider your novel as a whole:

1. Put your book away for as long as your deadline will allow. Two or three weeks is preferable. In the meantime, try to work on something else that has nothing to do with this project. The point is to be able to return to your manuscript with fresh eyes.

2. Re-read your manuscript without changing a single word. Keep an eye on your checklist. How closely does your manuscript match what you’ve written down? Did you think you wrote a spunky heroine, but by her actions does she seem wimpy? Have you used the setting to the fullest extent that you could to create the right atmosphere for your story? Is the resolution one that will satisfy readers given the rest of your story? Make notes on any disparate elements that might need changing.

3. Edit mercilessly. Any line, scene, character, image or whatever that doesn’t feed into what you hope to accomplish with your book should be cut or revised. Also ask yourself what could be added to strengthen appropriate imagery, characterization, setting, etc.

When I was working on my third novel, Once and Again, I found that the last four chapters of the book, about 80 pages had veered off course of what I wanted to do. I rewrote those pages in four days, keeping what was good and cutting/revising everything else. In my mind, this made it a stronger book.

If you have trouble deleting so much as a sentence, do what I do: I keep a special file for scenes that I love that weren’t right for a particular book. I have one scene that I wrote for my first book that ended up on the cutting room floor. It didn’t fit there, but it was perfect for my fourth one.

4. When all the Ts are crossed and the Is dotted, reread your novel again. Marvel at your fluid prose, engaging imagery, and finely honed characters. Then load up the printer, pour yourself a glass of your favorite libation and toast yourself as your new baby makes its way into the world.

Final Cut checklist

1. Theme/Premise:

Theme: What is the general topic of your book?
Premise: What is your take on the subject?
[For example, your theme might be overcoming abuse. Your premise is specific to your plot and characterization. i.e. A young woman breaks free of an abusive marriage to live life on her own terms.]

2. Characterization:

Who are your protagonists? What character traits, mannerisms, back stories, professions do they possess that feed into your premise?

3. Setting:

How does the setting enhance the mood, tone, tension, atmosphere of the story?

4. Plot:

How does the plot advance to prove the hypothesis of your premise? Are there any incidents that are not supported by your premise? Could scenes be added that would strengthen the basic premise of the book?

5. Climax:

Does the climax lead naturally out of the conflict in your story? Does the crises your character faces force him or her to make the choice that proves your premise?

6. Resolution:

Is the resolution one your readers will find satisfying given the rest of your story? Are all loose ends tied up? Are all story questions answered in a way that plays into the story premise?

©2003 Deirdre Savoy