I've been debating between whether or not I'll go in a completely different direction or just adjust it a little. I could combine the basic structure of this WIP with the idea for another, or I could just tweak it. Decisions, decisions.
The hardest thing is that I'd love to keep all of what I've already written and not change it. It's also hard to change the story idea I had only because it'd been running rampant in my mind. As I've chewed it over in my mind, it's getting easier, but, there's still moments of doubt.
Change is always hard. Sometimes it makes me want to give up, but, haha, I'll never let that happen. I don't care how many times I'll have to do this, I'm not going to stop.
Hopefully--like the good old saying--the third time's a charm.
Sweetie, don't take this wrong, but I think you should consider finishing the draft. You can change up in your rewrites when you already know where you're going.
ReplyDeleteTrust me on this. I am talking from experience.
:-)
I undestand your desire to revise, how one idea sparks another that you think is better, more compelling. I do the same thing. My only advice -- save your previous drafts. You never know when you'll want a sentence, a pargraph, even an entire scene from a previous version for your new one. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMisha - Thanks for the advice. :)
ReplyDeleteTrisha - Yeah, I've got all my previous drafts saved still. Thanks for the luck! It's much appreciated.
I made this decision at the beginning of the year, when I basically ditched everything and started the story anew. It was hard, but it was the right decision to make. Still have the old version and I've been cannibalizing from it. But it wasn't a minor change. a major overhaul, and if your story is fine, don't mess with it. Unless you really, really need to. In the end, I think you've got to trust your instincts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice, Storytreasury. I definitely need to start listening and trusting my instincts. :) I hope your story is going well!
ReplyDeleteHang in there. You''ll get it right soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elena :)
ReplyDeleteHmm this is a tough one. I want to tell you to do two things at once. There's nothing like the feeling of a finished draft--and then you can tinker away at it and change it up anyway you like!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I agree with Trisha. Save your drafts. You may decide to go back and grab some of that material and if you're like me, you don't have the brainpower to remember it like you wrote it the first time LOL!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with it Devin. It's a tough one - I know the lure of exciting new changes you can make. But I'd agree with Misha, at some point you need to sternly tell yourself that you're sticking with your current plot, finish the draft, then tweak as you need. Perhaps after you make these changes, tell yourself "This is it!" :)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Rach
Christina - Thanks for the advice! It's much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteLindsay - Haha, yes, I'll definitely be saving what I wrote. Definitely don't have the brain power to remember what it was like the first time! (Hate it when you know you had something good and now you can't remember it!)
Rachael - Thanks for the luck and the support. I need to be stern from now on, haha. I think this change will be it. I hope, haha.