I did some highlighting edits, just realized something, I am feeling off about the story overall!

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This is about my feelings and more pertaining to Project Succession:

I was editing or rather highlighting chapter 1, parts 1 to 5 in different colors for what is to be tackled much later. What I am noticing is that chapter 1 and it’s parts hit differently for me. Then again, some of the later chapters are the exact same, only some truly feel like I am writing the early stuff, the others not so much.

So, I am highlighting and underlining important things, things that need improving, things that I find to my liking. I am also listening to the document being read to me via robotic voice, because of a Chrome extension. I won’t deny that editing is an exhausting task, my body and mind are still feeling as I typed this.

As I highlighted things (paragraphs, dialogues, and single sentences) and underlined the crucial stuff, I am learning that the things I add there are a bit neglected in the later chapters. As if never mentioning or touching deeper upon it again, I just write and write. My stride stumbled a bit after Aeris accepted being a princess and then becoming an empress, though it really became wonky when Aeris summoned Mal’gel by accident, something that thinking back on it, didn’t sit right with me.

Even though the potential is still there, hidden amidst chaos, I am still bitter by allowing Aeris to win the Succession Trial which was supposed to happen days or weeks from when she headed down to the Underground Nations, she becoming a princess is one thing, but her becoming an empress was far too soon.

The important and engaging conversations between Aeris and the Knights have sorta vanished too, along with the act of misting being used. A small amount stayed, yet most things were mentioned then no longer, even at times when I should have mentioned it.

Honestly, I do want to rewrite things, because when I get to really editing the whole novel, I am going to be very overwhelmed. I believe I should start now-ish while continuing to finish up writing the chapters. I am just afraid because too much work, setting a schedule, and going through a routine is the ABSOLUTE annoyance against my AuDHD. So, I am stuck on how to handle this.

TL;DR- I am noticing the obvious hits and misses in this story and the things that I neglected, but never mentioned again that was important. I am not a planster or plotter and I am incapable of doing that, because my nature is panster, though I am struggling which I will admit. Should I stop continuing to do a total rewrite of chapters 1-3, parts 1-5 or just keep writing then deal with the headache later?

Thoughts and feelings?

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Sorry for the long post. Do you have anything to add?

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Keep writing, but make notes of what is/has been neglected, and where you feel the need to insert the extra info. Also do a 1-10 of importance with each note. Keep a kind eye on the notes and use them to guide you with timing and placement. Then once your in the mindset to edit they will be there for you to just drop in place.

SD

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But I am on chapter 16 and I am wondering should I stop to continue editing and making notes or rewrite the WHOLE THING?

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You are capable, you just don’t want to because it’s hard. Writing isn’t always easy or fun, despite what some people will tell you it should be. That is one of the most detrimental lies that is told to all writers under the false mask of advice. You have to exercise discipline if you want to finish your story and publish it. There are some things you have to do that are hard and frustrating in writing. You have to decide how much you want it and either do the plotting and planning, or find a compromise that allows you to do a bit of that and pantsing it.

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That’s pretty much what editing looks like. Read it front to back and keep making notes and highlights. Then do the rewrites. I don’t think it should be too overwhelming since there’s already a draft.

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I never edit anything before and this was the hardest thing for me.

I am trying to get used to it.

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Plotting and planning isn’t hard, just boring and I feel tied down. When I’m pantsing I feel free and not heavily restricted by my own novel, I can just write freely.

Deep down, I knew I would have to get serious if the goal is to publish, I still think in the manner that I am never getting published and I am just writing purely for fun.

Which begs the question, if I am writing without wanting to publish, why am I trying so hard if it is just strictly a fun hobby?

I suppose I do want to get published, I am just indecisive sometimes. I used to do chapter summaries years ago, it infuriates me when I couldn’t stick to what I wrote and went all over the place. That was when I knew I couldn’t be bothered.

There were a lot of things that I used to do such as plotting and planning that I just stopped doing at some point. Which is upsetting because, I did have fun plotting in a way, it was when I did it and couldn’t get started on chapter one, I would get bitter about it.

Maybe that has changed now, I won’t know that until I try again.

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Maybe you just need to edit more often so the things you neglect show up much sooner (rather than 16 chapters in). As mentioned by someone else earlier, keeping a list of the things you want to revisit is also very helpful, just glance over that list before every writing session and these issues should be mostly sort themselves out. Right now as you edit or write new chapters, begin to create that list and once you’ve caught up you can decide which chapters need a rewrite and which just needs some light edits.

Best of luck to you and your story.

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I’m taking a hiatus to get some editing, plotting, planning, and world building before I go back Project Succession.

Honestly, I rather rewrite the entire story in way it was meant to be, plot/story wise, character wise, and world building wise.

Thanks for commenting! :blush:

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Stop!

Don’t rewrite the whole thing!

Keep writing, do the notes as suggested, and then when the time comes re read and add the noted extras then.
It may be that you find when adding the extra notes that you indeed end up rewriting a few paragraphs which will keep the flow. Do the note adding alongside any edits you will find. But first, get that story written, the edits and additional notes can be placed afterwards like a jigsaw.

SD

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Did you see the other thread that I made in relation to this one?

It’s about Project Succession going on hiatus!

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Sorry, I did not… But I guess you have a good reason for it.

Though, I thought you had that one finished (Just edits to do), or am I mistaken?

SD

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This draft that I am on now, I am on chapter sixteen and at over 40K. The other version of this draft is at 115k and I am done with that.

This draft of Project Succession is the second draft.

I printed out chapters 1 to 14, so that I can make changes for later, because as I was still writing that was when I realized that things aren’t right.

So, I am still on chapter sixteen of this draft.

What now?

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Keep writing. Edits and notes are secondary. Keep the notes handy and refere once your ready to edit… And that is all.

SD

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I kept writing anyway. :sweat_smile:

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