It’s a busy writing year, and that’s a good thing. I started a Christmas novella as part of a collaboration with Inspy Romance authors. This summer I start You’re Amazing with our daughter.
And as soon as I find the courage, I need to scrap the 10k I’ve already written for my contemporary romance, Anchored.
At least, I think I need to start over. The story is in my head, and in there, it’s complex but beautiful. On paper, it’s just not there. I tend to be character-driven, but even that seems lacking. The premise is there, a series based on sextuplets who stay in the spotlight because of tragedy. Each book features a sibling trying to find a love like what their parents had. In my head it has a This is Us feel to it, showcasing the Southern Tier of Upstate NY.
I started during NaNoWriMo and decided to write in third person POV. That’s not my preference, I love writing first person, present tense. I wonder if that’s what I need to do. The heroine is strong, Jordyn Collins is the oldest. She feels obligated to take care of her father and siblings. That’s a blessing, but it has its drawbacks. I think first person can make Jordyn shine. Jordyn is going to have her share of conflict between taking care of her family and a job opportunity that challenges her at every turn.
I’m not looking forward to starting over, but the good news is I’m willing. Someone once told me that a hobbyist resists re-writing and critiques, but an author welcomes the changes. All writers have a part of themselves invested in their work, but I want the story to engage readers and transform lives. For that, I need to do whatever it takes. The critiques already reflected that it needs sharpening. I knew it, and that was confirmation.
Once I have a little more written with the Christmas story, I plan to look at Anchored with fresh eyes and start over. I believe the time I take making it right will be worth it.
How many drafts do you think an author goes through before a book is complete? Are you surprised to learn that sometimes we have to scrap our work and start over?
Christians Read 
I started my first novel a few months ago, wrote about 20 pages and then realized the section I wrote was the middle and not the beginning. I even did an outline! So now I am struggling with a beginning that isn’t drawn out, something that moves as fast as the 20 pages I already wrote. Newbee here. I assume I will have 200+ drafts LOL
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As long as you know it won’t be one draft, you’ll be okay. I worry about the people who tell me they are querying agents because their manuscript is ready after one draft. I assure you, it isn’t! If you are not in a critique group, I highly recommend them. They have helped advance my writing, and drafts. I’m with American Christian Fiction Writers, ACFW, and enjoy the small critique groups very much. Keep at it, you’ll get there!
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Thank you for the encouragement and advice!
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