Written a novel- Help?

Question

Here’s my problem- I wrote a novel. But I started it when I was a 17-year-old high school kid and I didn’t finish it until I was a 24-year-old college graduate. So needless to the say, the first half of the book was written horribly compared to the second half, which I feel is written fairly well. I already went through and did major revisions to the first half so that it matches the second. But the problem is that the overall concept and plot of the story were all conceived and outlined by the 17-year-old me. So even now that I’ve revised the first half, the story is still weak and flawed and kind of pointless and just plain bad on so many different levels. I don’t know what to do because I have 95,000 words of work that I’ve accomplished and a lot of passages that I honestly think are great… but the story overall sucks. What should I do?

Answer 1

I just want to say congratulations on finishing the novel-- that is an achievement at any age, not only at 24, but at any age.

And congratulations on having matured enough to realize this work is flawed.

Put it away in a drawer somewhere (make a copy and stash it in a safety deposit box at the bank...) and start the next novel.

You might go back to the story later and salvage the short story parts of it that show the most potential or the best writing.

You also may be too hard on yourself: you could think about hiring a professional reader/ editor to write a critique on the novel-- maybe someone from among your college instructors, perhaps.
It might be better than you expect, and they may see something you missed (it happens...) such as a subtheme that could be turned into the main theme/ plot line and that could salvage parts, or the whole of it.

There's the old advice, "writing is..rewriting."

Either way, start the next novel.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

I love this question! 1) Characters Problem: Unbelievable, Mary-Sue characters that are the basic hero/heroine with maybe a love interest and special ability. Yawwwn! Solution: You need to practice good forms of character development. Separate your character from the rest. Maybe instead of a vampire, your main character was only half-bitten and has an irrational fear of the dark. 2) Plot Problem: You have a basic idea of where your novel is heading but it is like the map has a big drink spill across it. Solution: Map it out. If you're like me, you hate drafts, editing, and things of that sort. Sometimes just sitting down and writing the basic outline of your story is helpful. Jane is a loser > She gets superpowers > She saves the city > Her best friend proposes to her > Best friend is kidnapped > Jane saves the day (again) 3) Writing Problem: You've just written a good paragraph...you think? Solution: Follow the order of operations. You can't have Billy gasp, open the door and see the killer. He needs to open the door, see the killer and then gasp. It may be hard writing like this and the other way around might actually seem better but in the long run it builds much more suspense. 4) Writer's Block Problem: You've tried everything; listening to music, taking a break, ect. What now? Solution: There are a few to this: 1. Join a SAFE online writing group that is backed by lots of research and reliability or get someone you know to read your story and give input. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes works wonders. It got me out of two months of writer's block. 2. Develop a writing schedule. Write in the same place at the same time everyday. After that time STOP. You will get used to this and it shows in your writing. Good luck! I hope I helped this is all of my own information and experiences.

Answer 3

That is a difficult problem, but I would consider attempting a major rewrite and reworking before just simply scraping a project. I understand the feeling though. I started my first novel on notebook paper specifically because I knew it would need to be rewritten right away. I made tremendous changes throughout the whole of the book upon the first rewrite and it ended up almost a completely different novel from when I first conceived it. I'd have trouble ever just trashcanning something I put a whole lot of time in. I know I would feel the pull to rewrite instead. In fact I do just that when I doubt my work at all, but If the plot is really awful and unsalvagable you can't stay too attached to it. This is a tough decision that you must personally make.

Answer 4

Congratulate yourself on your accomplishment, then put it away.

Don't worry about trying to rewrite it--if the overall concept and plot are weak, then a major rewrite isn't going to change that.

By writing this book, though, you've developed your skills, learned to recognize what works and what doesn't, what a story needs to be strong, and perhaps most importantly, that you can write a 95,000 word story, edit it, revise it, and evaluate it. All of this is crucial for making your next novel better.

We all have false starts, crappy stories in drawers, and duds of ideas. We learn from them and move on.

Plus, they're great sources for "spare parts." Maybe some minor character from this novel becomes a major character in the next one. Or a great passage can be recycled. Or the bit of research you did for one book turns out to be really useful in another one.

In other words, you didn't spend all this time and effort on these 95,000 words for nothing.

Ten years from now, when you have a couple best sellers under your belt (we all tell ourselves this--it's what keeps us going), you can look back at this first effort and be really proud of how far you've come. And maybe something from this book will strike you as interesting, and you can turn it into something wonderful.

Answer 5

Quite honestly, you would not be the first novelist who has a first book hidden away somewhere that they wouldn't show to anyone. I'd venture to say most novelists would say that. Consider it a learning experience. Perhaps you can salvage the second half and revamp it from there. It also isn't unusual for a novel to require major surgery when doing a second draft. We've all been there, too. But if you can't - then just tuck it away and continue to write. It isn't at all surprising for you to grow as a writer. What you have learned is that at 17, you lacked the maturity you have now and it shows in your work. The thing is for you to just keep writing. Everything in life is a learning experience. Pax - C

Answer 6

First of all, I'd like you to listen to some tracks by bands like Opeth and Dream Theater, and read some novels by Chuck Palahnuik ( I recommend Choke and Survivor). Study the structure. Progressive. Parts, and I stress parts, combined together to fit perfectly, the overall plot is not clear, no chorus, but subplots working together forcing your mind to form a major idea, very YOU. Get the passages you think they are good, think what could come before 'em, or after 'em, and go go go.

Answer 7

Do a complete re-write, making changes when inspired to do so. It's all right to change the content of the first part to blend with the second part. All authors do re-writes.

btw, go to the reference section in the library and take a look at The Writers' Market. It will tell you which publisher would be interested in your type of novel, what they will pay, and exactly how to submit it.

Answer 8

Take the good parts. Cut the bad. Revise the plotline if you need to. And rewrite. Cut and paste parts that still fit. There is no point in putting out something that you're not pleased with. Remember, you're the artist. It's important that you're happy with your work.

Answer 9

I think that you should do a major revamp of the story and try to add to the plot and make it stronger. If you thought that it was good enough to write than it is worth trying to save.

Answer 10

If you think the story sucks, consider it practice and call it a day.

You can always cannibalize the good parts and use them in your next manuscript.