Who knew, right?
The first draft of the first 5 chapters of The Stolen Selkie look absolutely nothing like second draft of what was produced. I had originally intended for the book to be a romantasy with a dash of horror stirred into the plot. The first drafts of the first 5 chapters? Romantasy with a dollop of erotica. -_- Not at all what I'd intended.
But then, through the editing process I found my story. All my ideas started to fall into place, and the characters started showing their roles. The story is back on track, thankfully.
Note to self: don't write this particular story when I'm missing my partner xD
What about you? Do you find your final chapters end up being wildly different from your first drafts?
Editing is super important! Going back over my old writing realised it was super cringey. It took me several edits of The Dove and the Letter to get to the final version. Although it is not wildly different, it made it better.
Who knew, right?
The first draft of the first 5 chapters of The Stolen Selkie look absolutely nothing like second draft of what was produced. I had originally intended for the book to be a romantasy with a dash of horror stirred into the plot. The first drafts of the first 5 chapters? Romantasy with a dollop of erotica. -_- Not at all what I'd intended.
But then, through the editing process I found my story. All my ideas started to fall into place, and the characters started showing their roles. The story is back on track, thankfully.
Note to self: don't write this particular story when I'm missing my partner xD
What about you? Do you find your final chapters end up being wildly different from your first drafts?
Writing on and off from 1994, I have always concentrated on short cat stories for children - rather boring for many folk! My own children naturally were the inspiration and our numerous feline companions the stars, along with a touch of Beatrix Potter style anthropomorphism. I invariably illustrate my own work, which whilst most enjoyable and therapeutic (colouring-in-as-therapy) actually takes longer than writing the story.
Having had an idea theme, one or two writing “sittings” sees it done. Then typing on to iPad sees corrections to grammar, spell-checks plus occasional improvements to story telling flow. Then I fuss around printable presentation, followed by head-scratching and worrying over the latest promotional ideas over social media, etc. Marketing remains an incomprehensible conundrum!
Often my ideas stimulate one or more drawings, then I write the story to connect them together, generating fresh ideas for connecting bits.
All the very best to everyone here,
Peter Brighouse Very Old Master to Twinkle, Smokey, Trixie, Pookie, Moppet, Tigger, Simpkin, Bullpuss, Tabitha Twitchit, Mungojerrie, Mrs Ribby and her daughter Ruby
My characters always end up in different places to where I first intend. My latest work was supposed to be a chapter for each scenario, which turned into 3, 5 then 6.
I enjoy coming up with new characters then going back to edit the story to fit them in and jumping forward to see where they will be with the protagonist at the end.
Editing are important. It allows you to notice things, like what you were actually writing about.