Taking a complete 180 degree turn

[MelanieShaman]

So, I am working on a rewrite of a story I post a few years ago... still trying to get part one published... But as I am close to finishing part two, the story has taken a turn, I am not sure where it came from, and I am not sure I even like where it's going. It's a little... weird. I'm not sure about, to be honest. Do I delete this "strange" second and stick to the main concept, or do I pursue the new thread?

 

[Rustyoznail]

So, I am working on a rewrite of a story I post a few years ago... still trying to get part one published... But as I am close to finishing part two, the story has taken a turn, I am not sure where it came from, and I am not sure I even like where it's going. It's a little... weird. I'm not sure about, to be honest. Do I delete this "strange" second and stick to the main concept, or do I pursue the new thread?

A similar question was asked in another post. Walk away for a day and let your characters fight it out. Come back and see who's left standing.

Seriously though, just let it sit for a while. If you don't like the direction, then you need to think about why it turned left and how to bring it back to where you want. Strange may be good in the long run.

 

[NotWise]

A similar question was asked in another post. Walk away for a day and let your characters fight it out. Come back and see who's left standing.

Seriously though, just let it sit for a while. If you don't like the direction, then you need to think about why it turned left and how to bring it back to where you want. Strange may be good in the long run.

Or you can make two different stories out of it.

 

[KeithD]

As a writer, this is for you to determine, not a committee with little information provided. You're not stuck with just part of the process responsibility. Unless you aren't really a writer, of course--which is fine. There are other worthwhile activities.

 

[MelanieShaman]

As a writer, this is for you to determine, not a committee with little information provided. You're not stuck with just part of the process responsibility. Unless you aren't really a writer, of course--which is fine. There are other worthwhile activities.

gee... thanks

 

[KeithD]

gee... thanks

Well, I'm sorry. But writing (despite James Michener), isn't a committee activity and it isn't something you do (again, despite James Michener) by farming out big pieces of what it is and it isn't something you have to do or that there's a shortage of people doing it. It's also not for the thin skinned. You'll break your heart if you don't learn to do the job yourself if you're going to try to do it.

I'll note that you didn't really give enough information for anyone to actually give you any help anyway. If you truly want specific help with something, you need to dig into it far enough to be specific about what piece you need help with.

 

[MelanieShaman]

Well, I'm sorry. But writing (despite James Michener), isn't a committee activity and it isn't something you do (again, despite James Michener) by farming out big pieces of what it is and it isn't something you have to do or that there's a shortage of people doing it. It's also not for the thin skinned. You'll break your heart if you don't learn to do the job yourself if you're going to try to do it.

I'll note that you didn't really give enough information for anyone to actually give you any help anyway. If you truly want specific help with something, you need to dig into it far enough to be specific about what piece you need help with.

I was just asking if people have come across such an issue... i am an artist, so yeah, I understand having to do everything myself. and I understand having to be thick-skinned, but your comment was a straight-up attack.

 

[KeithD]

I was just asking if people have come across such an issue... i am an artist, so yeah, I understand having to do everything myself. and I understand having to be thick-skinned, but your comment was a straight-up attack.

No it wasn't (and, no you aren't being thick skinned). It was basic information on how to be a writer if you're going to try doing it at all. I've only been in the business for fifty-some years and I've seen the difference between being prepared and not. If you take straightforward advice as straight-up attack, this most certainly isn't an activity for you.

 

[gunhilltrain]

gee... thanks

This must be the "Sisters" series - it says "rewrite in progress" on your profile for chapter 1. But you've got five chapters in there for the last four years. Are you going to replace them all?

I haven't been happy with some of my early work either. For those, I just wrote new ones with new titles and posted them here or on other sites. Anywhere from 50% to 80% of the original text was retained. I've never tried to redo an entire series however.

As somebody suggested above, maybe you need to step back and give it some time and thought. You figured out where you wanted to go with it four years ago; I think you can do it again. In the meantime, maybe do a different idea as a stand-alone story and let this one percolate for a while. Surely you must have some other story ideas in your quiver besides this one?

 

[LAHomedog]

OK -- Bickering aside, I have had this happen to me too.

First, I believe never delete a story. Always save the file. Even if you don't submit it, you never know when you might be able to use it.

Next, you've gotten good advice here. Put it down for a day or two and then either finish it as one or split it.

Me? I'd finish it as is, put it down for a day or two, reread and then decide if to split it or not.

Right now, I'm writing two stories that I never submitted and I am now re-purposing in something new. Folks do it all of the time.

 

[SimonDoom]

I find it impossible to give any worthwhile advice in the abstract. I would need many more details of the story and what, exactly, the 180 degree turn consists of, before I could offer you any decent advice on your question.

This doesn't happen to me, because I form a fairly complete picture of the whole story early in the process, and while the specifics may depart from my original vision as I write, the basic story does not. If I get a new idea, I write a whole new story.

But that's just me, and it may not have anything to do with your artistic vision, which is all that matters. Good luck figuring it out.

 

[MillieDynamite]

As a writer, this is for you to determine, not a committee with little information provided. You're not stuck with just part of the process responsibility. Unless you aren't really a writer, of course--which is fine. There are other worthwhile activities.

Alexandre Dumas wrote by committee, he produced specific outlines, including every turn, and sent a section to three different writers, one wrote the beginning, the next the middle, and the other the last of the story.

When he received his work back, he went through it one word and at time, refining "his" story. He wasn't the last work this way, probably not the first either.

James Patterson writes with other writers. He gives them detailed outlines, they send him, in stages, their work, which he refines, and they go back and forth until they have a finished book.

Still other authors use ghostwriters, and the work is exchanged back and forth until the copyright owner decides the story is finished.

Screen plays and television scripts are often collaborations between writers.

Your way or the high way is your way, not everyone's way.

I'm not looking for a fight with you KeithD. I'm just pointing a little of what I know. Working with others doesn't make a writer less of a writer.

 

[Qubiquitous]

Break the fourth wall. Have your literary characters rebel, come out of the story and take you hostage forcing you to rewrite the tale from their point of view. It can be "Rashoman--" in fact I named one like this "Man-O-Rash-O-Man--" with multiple characters "insisting" that you use their version.

Just remember that it's Lit; so after you are taken hostage you must like the end result for it to be publishable .

 

[MelanieShaman]

This must be the "Sisters" series - it says "rewrite in progress" on your profile for chapter 1. But you've got five chapters in there for the last four years. Are you going to replace them all?

I haven't been happy with some of my early work either. For those, I just wrote new ones with new titles and posted them here or on other sites. Anywhere from 50% to 80% of the original text was retained. I've never tried to redo an entire series however.

As somebody suggested above, maybe you need to step back and give it some time and thought. You figured out where you wanted to go with it four years ago; I think you can do it again. In the meantime, maybe do a different idea as a stand-alone story and let this one percolate for a while. Surely you must have some other story ideas in your quiver besides this one?

Nope, it's Teach Me... the originals are gone. I am going to rewrite Sisters though

 

[MelanieShaman]

No it wasn't (and, no you aren't being thick skinned). It was basic information on how to be a writer if you're going to try doing it at all. I've only been in the business for fifty-some years and I've seen the difference between being prepared and not. If you take straightforward advice as straight-up attack, this most certainly isn't an activity for you.

Maybe I overreacted, but I AM going to mute you... no offense, I am not attacking you.

 

[MelanieShaman]

A little reference. A teacher and a student begin a physical relationship... the teacher feels it is wrong, but can't deny her "feelings". She tries to deny it... ends up randomly hooking up with two former students. Later one of the student's little sister tried to blackmail her... so she's already wrestling with wanting one current (of age obviously) student to explore her newly awakened sexuality and figuring out how to deal with another student trying to blackmail her.

I am not sure this blackmail thread would be good for the story. I mean, it could be fun to explore, but it also takes away from the main story. BUT again, it could influence that main story. I'm really wrestling with this. I think I might set the whole thing aside.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Nope, it's Teach Me... the originals are gone. I am going to rewrite Sisters though

You're giving yourself too much agita over this. You probably need to step back a bit and think about it (and let some of the comments by the other members roll off your back). Replacing an entire series is a lot of work, and it's going to take some time.

I just looked, and I eventually redid eight old stand-alone stories. But I did it gradually, over the course of at least a year. Also, I was still writing new stuff during that time. So if you've got some fresh material in your mind, maybe do that too?

 

[Paul_Chance]

For me, it always depends on why I am writing.

If it's a piece of work for other people, I will stay to the plot.

If it's primarily for me, I will let the strange roam free.

 

[MelanieShaman]

You're giving yourself too much agita over this. You probably need to step back a bit and think about it (and let some of the comments by the other members roll off your back). Replacing an entire series is a lot of work, and it's going to take some time.

I just looked, and I eventually redid eight old stand-alone stories. But I did it gradually, over the course of at least a year. Also, I was still writing new stuff during that time. So if you've got some fresh material in your mind, maybe do that too?

That's a really good idea. I have been so wrapped up in Teach Me as of late...

 

[MelanieShaman]

For me, it always depends on why I am writing.

If it's a piece of work for other people, I will stay to the plot.

If it's primarily for me, I will let the strange roam free.

Yeah, I write for me more than anything

 

[RoperTrace]

A little reference. A teacher and a student begin a physical relationship... the teacher feels it is wrong, but can't deny her "feelings". She tries to deny it... ends up randomly hooking up with two former students. Later one of the student's little sister tried to blackmail her... so she's already wrestling with wanting one current (of age obviously) student to explore her newly awakened sexuality and figuring out how to deal with another student trying to blackmail her.

I am not sure this blackmail thread would be good for the story. I mean, it could be fun to explore, but it also takes away from the main story. BUT again, it could influence that main story. I'm really wrestling with this. I think I might set the whole thing aside.

Hmm, I love a good blackmail story, especially when it involves a sibling, step-mom, teacher, the neighbor, boss; well pretty much anyone. (edit) It adds to the teacher's dilemma of feeling wrong about hooking up with former students and adds a layer to her problems. So by solving the added problem, maybe it opens up the solution to the previous problem. Not sure if that makes sense.

 

[SimonDoom]

A little reference. A teacher and a student begin a physical relationship... the teacher feels it is wrong, but can't deny her "feelings". She tries to deny it... ends up randomly hooking up with two former students. Later one of the student's little sister tried to blackmail her... so she's already wrestling with wanting one current (of age obviously) student to explore her newly awakened sexuality and figuring out how to deal with another student trying to blackmail her.

I am not sure this blackmail thread would be good for the story. I mean, it could be fun to explore, but it also takes away from the main story. BUT again, it could influence that main story. I'm really wrestling with this. I think I might set the whole thing aside.

Seems like there are three different stories here.

Story 1: Teacher begins relationship with student. Feels it's wrong but can't deny feelings.

Story 2: She "randomly" hooks up with two former students. How does this connect to Story A? If her feelings for student in Story 1 are real why is she randomly hooking up with others?

Story 3: Little sister of one of the students in Story 2 tries to blackmail the teacher. What does she want?

What's the most important story you want to tell? This seems a bit confusing. Why not skip story 2 and make the sister the sister of the student in Story 1? That makes sense. It creates an additional dramatic impediment to the relationship.

It's obviously completely up to you; you should follow your muse. But if I were you I would start by asking what's the story you MOST want to tell, and then integrate everything toward fulfilling that purpose.

 

[gordo12]

A little reference. A teacher and a student begin a physical relationship... the teacher feels it is wrong, but can't deny her "feelings". She tries to deny it... ends up randomly hooking up with two former students. Later one of the student's little sister tried to blackmail her... so she's already wrestling with wanting one current (of age obviously) student to explore her newly awakened sexuality and figuring out how to deal with another student trying to blackmail her.

I am not sure this blackmail thread would be good for the story. I mean, it could be fun to explore, but it also takes away from the main story. BUT again, it could influence that main story. I'm really wrestling with this. I think I might set the whole thing aside.

I have a very similar story on the go and the blackmail angle occurred to me. I haven't added it yet but it would add some intriguing parts to the story.

Like you, I'm kind of up in the air about it. But it sure would add some angst to the story. Does the blackmailer get what they want? Or get defeated? Plots running within plots!

 

[TarnishedPenny]

A similar question was asked in another post. Walk away for a day and let your characters fight it out. Come back and see who's left standing.

Seriously though, just let it sit for a while. If you don't like the direction, then you need to think about why it turned left and how to bring it back to where you want. Strange may be good in the long run.

This.

 

[StrangeLife]

In my experience the best reads are usually the ones where the characters and their actions dictate where the story goes.

So if your writers instincts tell you, that an alternative route might fit the flow of your story better, I'd explore it if I were you.