What To Do When Your WIP Takes a U-Turn
This book is coming in April, I definitely pary I can finish. Unfortunately, the book took a U-turn at the halfway point. What do you do then? If my hair hadn’t already turned white, it certainly would be of no color now. There are a number of things you can do.
First, you could throw the chapters away and begin anew.
Second you could find the first point of the change.
Third you can change the focus of the story a bit.
I didn’t dot the first since I knew those pages were solid. I moved to the second way and found there was a point where the story changed. I explored this and finally I realized, I’d thought of this as a straight suspense story. Then I realized there was more to be shown.
I pulled out the main points of the story. Nurses trying to rid their hospital of doctors unfit to practice medicine. Then I looked for the crimes. Blackmail and murder. I finally realized there was a reason for the blackmail and murders. The heroine was the focus of all of these. I discovered the why and finally had the story on track again. I’m nearly finished with the rewrite and not it’s time to look at the pages and add what needs to be added and show the new slant. This is not a straight medical suspense but is a romantic suspense. Soon I’ll be writing The End. Once that’s done, I’ll send it off. Hopefully I’ll never have a story do this again.
Not the characters yelling that’s not the way. This time the plot yelled I don’t like the way the story is going.
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Ah Janet, you have patience, insight, and most of all, talent! As you would say, keep writing :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen works from famous authors start with one story and genre, and end with a totally different angle, genre, and focus. As a reader, I didn't like the dichotomy. I admire you for going back to the first hiccup, refocus the story, and correct the trajectory. It shows strong ethics and professionalism. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteAh, know exactly what you mean, I am having same thing with my current wip. With your experience of course you will solve the problem. I look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThere is always a reason why the characters, or the plot, yell at the writer. I'm glad you listened. It will be a great story, Janet!
ReplyDelete