Does anyone find the task daunting? Even though I only have about 40 pages for my last story, I decided to change something major in it and now I'm having troubles deciding on how to go about it. How do you break down in chunks big enough to swallow?
Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
I start a file called [Story Title] scraps and then I throw the whole section that's a problem into that file and write the new section from scratch.
Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :
Same (well, it's not called "scraps", but the idea is the same).
Posted by Jessica (Member # 3099) on :
When I decide to make major changes in my story--I save the file and open a complete new one. Then, I paste the story in the new document. Then I can cut out what I want and I still have the original version in another place, so that if I decide I real did like a part, it is right there where I left it. As for the dauntingness of the task--Someone once told me, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
(I know dauntingness isn't a word but I'm at loss for a better one.)
Posted by Marva (Member # 3171) on :
I just did this. I found that I was actually writing two separate stories, so I just made a copy and took out of each what didn't belong. Neat. Two stories for the price of one as it turns out. Don't throw anything completely away as you might find another use for it. A sequel perhaps?
Posted by Constipatron (Member # 3183) on :
Once I'm done ripping the problem child up into itty-bitty pieces I take the idea from its base and start to build it up again with what's gone before. Though, I must agree, taking care of it like the others have said is probably more effective. I find that even with MOST of the story done, I'll have to scrap MOST of the story and start over. Sooner or later, through vigilance and taking 'small bites' the story comes through how I REALLY want it to be.
Posted by Susannaj4 (Member # 3189) on :
funny how taking one seemingly small idea out of a story breaks down the cohesiveness.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Keep writing to the end with your revised notions of the story...revise, cut, edit, delete, or otherwise change what you've written when you make another pass at it in the next draft. And if the revised idea is indeed major, you *will* have to take another pass at it.
Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :
Tell myself, "I will write X words today, even if it's on some other project, or even if it's total garbage." This breaks the barrier and makes it easier.
I may also need to say, "I will write X words today, on this project." But usually if I have resistance to a particular project, it's because there's a problem I don't know how to fix.
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
Rewriting stories is something I've goten used to. A first draft might be decent, and a revision might get it up to pretty good. Going back with a solid character in my head can often lead to an even better story.
I just think about a revision and rewrite as a chance to make more changes the story should have had to start with.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
If it's something integral to the story, you're better off starting over. i've got a number of stories that either I'm not happy with or a critique has pointed out some serious problem that I don't know how to fix without being dissatisfied. I put those stories into an archive and pull them back out when my subconscious has had enough time to work it out. In the mean time, I write something else.
