So, I have this speculative fiction novel that I wrote a decade ago. In my mind, it’s finished, perfect. But whenever I submit it to my critique group or send it to an editor or an agent, they tell me it’s just not working. Bottom line, the story and characters in my head are just not getting onto the page. I love, love, love this story. Consequently, I’ve tried multiple times to rewrite it from scratch. This is a big endeavor given that it’s 110,000 words. These attempts have all failed… until now. I’ve finally gotten my head into a space where I’m confident that I can rewrite my novel and do it justice. What’s my secret? Actually, there are five of them.

1. TIME. You probably don’t want to hear it, but time has helped me see my characters and plot more clearly, and it’s allowed me to hear and process critiques without getting defensive. With time, I’ve also grown and developed from a craft perspective. I’m not the same writer I was a decade ago, five years ago, or even one year ago, and neither are you. So, if you’re struggling to rewrite a novel… I’m not talking tweaks or little fixes… I mean major overhauls or actually rewriting the entire story, maybe take a break and come back to it in several months, or dare I say, years.
2. SAVE YOUR ORIGINAL STORY. This may seem like a no-brainer, but there have been times when I haven’t done this, and I’ve regretted it. Just knowing that you have your original story saved in a file and that it’s not going anywhere could give you the confidence you need to write more freely, to let go of those doubts that might be holding you back on your rewrite.
3. USE YOUR ORIGINAL STORY AS AN OUTLINE. This can be a tough one for us pantser. Sometimes we get bored or lose interest when we know where are plot is headed. But think about it this way. Not having to deal with your plot will free you up to focus on the nuances of your story, like tone, visuals, physical descriptions, bringing your setting to the forefront, getting your characters’ emotions right, and believability. Having this tighter focus might be just what your story needs to truly shine.
4. GET MORE FEEDBACK. Feedback is what made you realize that your story was off. But feedback will also tell you when your rewrite is spot on. Don’t shy away from it. It’s invaluable.
5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO KILL A LOT OF DARLINGS. This is a common editing/rewriting suggestion, but it bears repeating. Sometimes we get so caught up in preserving our favorite turns of phrase, metaphors, similes, and descriptions that we forget about the picture, the story as a whole. There have been times when I’ve hesitated to cut a scene just because I was proud of my words. In novels, it all needs to make sense. Writing a novel isn’t just about pretty words and phrases. So delete those beautiful words that are propelling your story in the wrong direction.

Thanks for reading my thoughts on this subject. As you might have guessed, the topic is personal for me, as I don’t like to give up on stories.  Have you ever rewritten a novel and finally gotten it right? I’d love to hear some of your tips.