Even though I hit 50,000 I'm still only halfway through my rough draft. Over the past few days I've been rethinking the plot and I realized that the central conflict is pretty weak and I want to amp it up. So should I finish with the plot as it is then go back and change it after I'm done or leave what is already written as is but continue with the new path?
----------
50,227 / 50,000
Dec 2, 2008 - 17 01
Personally I'd go back right now. You're only giving yourself more work if you finish it, and then have to go back. Go back now, fix what needs to be fixed and then push forward.
22,010 / 50,000
Dec 2, 2008 - 18 19
Alternatively, you could skim the novel and jot down in a separate document everything you'd need to change or add, and continue the writing with the new plot.
----------Little by little, one travels far. - Tolkien
2005: A Sea of Six Storms (25,500)
2006: The Death of Destiny (10,765)
2007: This Immortal Coil (15,330)
2008: This Immortal Coil (starting over) (22,010)
57,082 / 50,000
Dec 2, 2008 - 18 31
I just continue writing the story as it would go with the new plot, then go back and change whatever I need to.
50,553 / 50,000
Dec 2, 2008 - 20 08
This is what I'd suggest, too; it's usually how I solve such situations.
145,017 / 50,000
Dec 3, 2008 - 12 14
I have/had the same problem. My muse told me how to tie it all in together during the LAST scene of the book. *sigh*
Everyone already suggested good advice. How much of a change are you talking about? If it's minor, continue the novel like it's already happened, and then add it in later.
If it's bigger though, and it sounds like it is, I would copy paste what you have now and label it Version 1 or something like that. That way, if you do mess with the order of chapters or add things in, you still have an original if you get bogged down. Then, instead of adding scenes willy nilly to your conflict, I would go through the entire thing and outline the chapters. It doesn't have to be involved, just enough so you know what is going on in the chapter. It could look like this (mine does), except use the character names:
Chapter One:
MMC is running in the woods.
FMC moves into her new house with her mom. Mention magic. Get into fight.
Just something basic, with the key information. Don't bog this down with long details, just make it short and sweet.
Once you have done this you will be able to go through and see your plot laid out, and where you are going to need some more actions scenes, what parts are slow, which scenes you can combine and so forth.
The other good thing about this, is you can copy paste your chapter outlines, instead of the entire scenes in the book, and see how it works, instead of copying huge amounts of text in the book.
Good luck and let me know if you need more help. I am in the same boat as you! ;)
----------NaNo 08: Seeing Red/Heaven's Gate and Hell's Masquerade (unfinished)
Proud owner of a plot Wolverine.