I know we’ve all been there–we’re working on the first draft, discovering plot holes, and realizing there are great ways to fix them. But what if you’re still working on that first draft? In my case, I’ve been pushing through the first draft, rewriting only if the current direction is leading to a dead end. I haven’t written this way in a long time, and I’m making a lot of progress.
However, the more I write the more I see I need to change the setting. I won’t go into worldbuilding details here, but it will fit the world’s history so much better and amp up the conflicts. If I change the setting though, I’ll have to do some rewriting.
Is it better to keep the story the way it is and change settings after? Don’t change what’s already been written but implement change as I continue? Bite the bullet and rewrite several parts? What have you done in a similar situation?
If the setting truly needs to be changed (not just you getting bored with how it is now), then I would start incorporating those changes immediately but not go back and edit the first part till you’re done. Revising like that takes me out of writing mode and makes it much harder to finish the first draft.
If you’re at all on the fence about changing the setting (i.e. not 100% sure it needs to be changed, but just find it intriguing), then I’d finish the story as is and change the setting afterwards. (I did this with my last novel, and while the prospect felt overwhelming, it wasn’t actually that hard when I sat down to do it. I’m definitely glad I kept the setting/worldbuilding to my original plan for the entirety of the draft.)
So, I guess it depends on how big of an issue it is. But either way, I wouldn’t edit/revise until you’re done with the first draft and can have better perspective on your story.
I think this answer is perfect. 100% spot on. The biggest thing you don’t want to do is allow this to disrupt your forward momentum in the drafting.
Thanks, Grace!