Is your story supposed to change so much with each new draft?

The Chatters
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I’m having this problem with Project Succession. I understand with me that I don’t do a heavy outline and only chapter summaries, but the story keeps changing into something so different yet still the same.

Is that supposed to happen? I get that a story must go through many changes, but this feels off to me and it’s bothering me as well.

So, I am out of sorts with this story. But if I stop to focus on another story, I will be annoyed that I didn’t finish up Project Succession.

Project Succession went in one direction to a totally different direction. I can’t make sense of this story any longer and it’s bothering me.

I know what I want to say, but I’m not sure how to say it.

Thoughts and feelings?

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@Akje
@JojoDahlia
@Xelyn_Craft
@copyedit
@CoffeebyNight
@TheTigerWriter
@thatstheway
@Haddes97
@SecretDurham
@NatilladeCoco

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Definitely supposed to happen. Your story is evolving and that’s a good thing.

The first draft is you telling yourself the story. I think Terry Pratchett said that. But it’s so true. You yourself aren’t even sure what you’re doing (even if you do have an outline or clear idea). It’s possible that after giving yourself some time to rest and think, you brain has worked on it more and turning it into what it’s meant to be.

Just be easy on yourself and know that it’ll be okay, and remember to have fun with it :blush:

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It’s supposed to happen, trust the process.

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@Xelyn_Craft and @TheTigerWriter

Even though I don’t do any outlining and mostly go with the flow and occasionally write chapter summaries? That is still alright?

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it depends on the story and the details u have to add to close plotholes

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Give an example.

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As long as you have some sort of end goal in mind that doesn’t change, yeah.

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9

I don’t do drafts or plotting or anything so I can’t comment with any personal experience but I think that’s fine…? A lot of people experience changes between drafts, I think. Part of the creative process :slight_smile:

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Interesting. What makes you not do drafts?

If you don’t mind answering.

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I don’t need to. One and done, lol. I used to write then rewrite it, but that was time consuming and does not fit into my schedule anymore. Some things get added or changed in the editing process, but what I write first time round is what’s getting published.

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12

That’s interesting.

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Thank you.

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where did that armor ur mc is now wearing that suddening appeared

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15

Armor? What do you mean?

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it happens alot where u added something suddenly and u forgot to actually introduce it. I used armor as a lot of authors forget to add things then have to shoehorn it in

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I tend to do that plenty. Which means I should write things down.

Thanks for reminding me.

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18

im pretty bad a bout it myself

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19

Yay! I’m not alone!

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Do you ever make a vision board for your books? Some people do and some don’t. Personally I don’t, but I think it might help in this case…?

The first step could be to write down your vision for this book in one sentence or one paragraph, so that you can keep your eyes on what you’re trying to say with this book. Then post that quote on a vision board by your desk where you’ll always see it.

Or maybe you could write it in a journal you keep handy so you can read it whenever you feel you’re getting off track.

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