What are your criteria for ditching a WIP?

[Cranky]

I'm wondering about this right now. I have a WIP that is going on 15,000k, but the story is really not working for me. The stakes aren't high enough, etc. This is, of course, fixable, so I've decided to just set it aside temporarily, to try and gain some perspective on it. I think by doing so I'll be able to identify whether or not it's something worth saving.

Thankfully, I have another piece that I'm working on outlining and whatnot. I've got an opening scene (quite the clunker, too, I'm not very good with dialog), but more importantly, I know this MC inside and out already. His motivations, his backstory, and I have a really good basic plot. A real, honest to goodness story there that doesn't suffer from too many cliches, imo.

So, what do you guys do when you've got serious problems with a WIP?

[Manat]

Exactly what you just did. And if I decide to let it go for good, I still keep it for salvage materials in case I can use pieces in something else.

[scarletpeaches]

I've never dumped anything incompleted. I've taken some time to finish it and I've got some stories here that aren't finished yet, but I know I'll get round to them some day.

[Carrie in PA]

So, what do you guys do when you've got serious problems with a WIP?


If I love the story and/or the characters, I open a new word doc and start over. If I'm just "eh" about the whole thing, I just abandon it. I don't delete much, though, even if I never go back to it.

[Shadow_Ferret]

To echo SP, I have never abandoned anything unfinished.

I have left them stew for many years, even decades, but they have not been abandoned. I finished one after a 15 year hiatus. I've started work on another that was actually started in 1980. And the WIP I am currently subbing around started out as an idea back in the early 90s.

[KTC]

I hit the delet button if it's not cranking my goodies. The delete key is a wonderful thing. Then, you just sweep out your recycle bin and it's gone for good.

[wee]

So, what do you guys do when you've got serious problems with a WIP?


Set it aside, work on something else ...

[Siddow]

My WIPs dump me much more often than I dump them. I pretty much let things go once the love is gone. No sense beating a dead horse, yadda yadda yadda.

I figure some will never be written, and others just shouldn't be written yet. I can wait.

[Deirdre]

I have left them stew for many years, even decades, but they have not been abandoned. I finished one after a 15 year hiatus. I've started work on another that was actually started in 1980. And the WIP I am currently subbing around started out as an idea back in the early 90s.
I just recently revised a short story I wrote 19 years ago.

It needs another revision, still.

[RG570]

I hit the delet button if it's not cranking my goodies. The delete key is a wonderful thing. Then, you just sweep out your recycle bin and it's gone for good.

I love the delete key. It's so liberating. When something starts sucking, and I can see no way to save it, I just trash it. There are far too many ideas to waste time on ones I know can't work.

I start to feel better after the crap is gone from the hard drive. Having it sit there, it just taunts me.

[zebedee]

I hit the delete key too. Only sort of regretted it once, but I got fed up having lots of unfinished stuff on the hard drive. Now I keep notes of new ideas but am much more disciplined about finishing what I start instead of having too many projects cluttering things up.

[Stijn Hommes]

I trunked a short story for over a year before finishing it.
I recommend you stay away from the delete key. It's a good idea to have a copy just in case you get an idea on how to fix it. If you do, you'll be kicking yourself for trashing it.

[The_Grand_Duchess]

In my sig line there used to be a word count with a line through it. That's because I deleted it. I didn't like where it was going. The characters were still great but I wasn't telling the right story. So we start over.

That's all one can do.

[CaroGirl]

If a story is never going to work, there's no sense in flogging a dead horse. Let it roll over and collect flies. However, make sure you don't get into the habit of ditching EVERY novel at 10 or 15K because then you'll run into the problem of never finishing anything. That's deadly.

[JoniBGoode]

I trunked a short story for over a year before finishing it.
I recommend you stay away from the delete key. It's a good idea to have a copy just in case you get an idea on how to fix it. If you do, you'll be kicking yourself for trashing it.

Agreed. The few times I've used the delete key, 12 hours later I figured out a simple, brilliant way to fix the problem. But the story was gone forever. Always save your outtakes.

OP, putting it aside may help. But, in the grand scheme of a novel, 15,000 words is not much. If you are tired of it now...how are you going to feel at 95,000 words?

I, too, put things aside when I don't know enough about the characters or the plot. I have learned that trying to write with too little information is just a waste of time, for me. I understand that others work differently.

[ZannaPerry]

So, what do you guys do when you've got serious problems with a WIP?

I step away from the WIP for a few days, or I take a hot shower and that usually calms my brain. :)

[Shane Fitzsimmons]

When I was still learning, I ditched projects all the time. Sometimes I'd rewrite an entire trilogy seventeen times (no exaggeration) before throwing it away. Other times I'd barely get three sentences out before realizing I hated it.

Now that I'm serious about it though, now that I'm stepping out of my Padawan phase and am seeking my trials to become a full Jedi Knight, I pretty much refuse to dump projects anymore. Dumping projects is fine when you're not looking to get published. But once you're looking to get serious in the business, you have to be much more disciplined or you'll never get anything done.

I probably sat around without writing anything for close to six months before I found my current project, and I didn't even start outlining until I had a good story inside my head, something that really pumped me up that I knew I wasn't going to lose interest in. I then did some pretty heavy research, and now I'm in the outlining phase, and already I can tell that this is going to be a really difficult book to write. But there's no criteria in the world that will get me to dump this project, no matter how difficult it gets. Even if I'm ripping out my hair, pounding my head into my keyboard because I can't type one more word, I'll work it out.

It's the only way I'll ever get something published. And it's the only way you will too.

[Cranky]

I can see your point, Shane.

I think there is something to the idea of beating a dead horse, though. This WIP I'm talking about is on it's third incarnation, and after extensive outlining, blah. The idea looked good on paper, but the character, ugh.

She strikes me as a twit, and I'm hoping that I'm not projecting, lol. That's why I'm setting it aside. That, and I don't want to ditch so much work without thinking long and hard about it.

[Siddow]

Really, Shane? I've been published several times over and I toss crap out all the time.

[ClaudiaGray]

I always work from an outline, usually one that takes me anywhere from a few weeks to a year to build. If during the outlining process, I can't get a story that works, I know something is seriously wrong. So even though I have almost always had projects die before I started writing in earnest, I've had them die even after I put in considerable time and energy.

Basically, if I know I can't crystallize the characters, the stakes and their arcs in the story in a way that makes me not only see the whole novel but ache to write it, I know the project hasn't got the stuff.

[Cranky]

Really, Shane? I've been published several times over and I toss crap out all the time.

I know you're talking to Shane here, but I have a question:

Do you think you're tossing crap all the time because you have enough experience now that you can tell fairly quickly when a story idea isn't going to work out?

[Shane Fitzsimmons]

Really, Shane? I've been published several times over and I toss crap out all the time.

Uh, okay. But since you are neither me nor the original poster, exactly what gave you the idea that I was talking to or about you?

[RG570]

Dumping projects is fine when you're not looking to get published. But once you're looking to get serious in the business, you have to be much more disciplined or you'll never get anything done. . . .



. . . It's the only way I'll ever get something published. And it's the only way you will too.

I'm plenty disciplined. I've finished and polished three novels this year. I don't think dwelling on crappy stories is a sign of discipline or going to increase my chances of being published. If anything, it'll just delay me from moving on to better ideas.

[Shane Fitzsimmons]

I don't remember saying that dwelling on crappy stories was a positive thing either. Maybe what you quoted is the only part of my post you read, because if you looked at my example from my personal life, I said I wound up taking the better part of a year coming up with the perfect story. I ditched dozens during this period of time.

The difference is, now that I've decided "Okay, this is the one," I'm not going to drop it just because the going gets tough.

[Siddow]

I know you're talking to Shane here, but I have a question:

Do you think you're tossing crap all the time because you have enough experience now that you can tell fairly quickly when a story idea isn't going to work out?

Oh, no, I don't think it has anything to do with level of experience. I wouldn't call myself a pro by any stretch. Here's my dilemma and why I end up with false starts: I can't outline.

Every time I've outlined a story beyond a back-cover blurb, I lose interest in telling the story. I'm working on a book right now that I have (IMHO) a slamming hook for. But I don't have the ending. That's a problem. I know what is going to happen (hero wins, of course), but I don't yet have the how. But I love this character, and I love this story, so this one is stalled, not tossed.

OTOH, I have another partial manuscript that has a full outline, every scene mapped, good story (IMHO), interesting characters, but I don't love it. That's 12,000 words sitting around I'll probably never get back to.

I also spend a fair amount of time in poke-and-prod mode. Another reason I'm not professional. I've found that I write better when I write fast and often, so when I'm brewing a story (like the current WIP I"m stalled on), I play with scenes, snippets of dialogue, situations, whatever it takes to keep me writing. Sometimes they turn into stories, sometimes they stink up the room.

[Siddow]

I don't remember saying that dwelling on crappy stories was a positive thing either. Maybe what you quoted is the only part of my post you read, because if you looked at my example from my personal life, I said I wound up taking the better part of a year coming up with the perfect story. I ditched dozens during this period of time.

The difference is, now that I've decided "Okay, this is the one," I'm not going to drop it just because the going gets tough.

Oh, I get it: ditching in the HEAD is okay. Some of us do our explorations on paper. That's okay, too.

[Cranky]

Oh, no, I don't think it has anything to do with level of experience. I wouldn't call myself a pro by any stretch. Here's my dilemma and why I end up with false starts: I can't outline.

Every time I've outlined a story beyond a back-cover blurb, I lose interest in telling the story. I'm working on a book right now that I have (IMHO) a slamming hook for. But I don't have the ending. That's a problem. I know what is going to happen (hero wins, of course), but I don't yet have the how. But I love this character, and I love this story, so this one is stalled, not tossed.

OTOH, I have another partial manuscript that has a full outline, every scene mapped, good story (IMHO), interesting characters, but I don't love it. That's 12,000 words sitting around I'll probably never get back to.

I also spend a fair amount of time in poke-and-prod mode. Another reason I'm not professional. I've found that I write better when I write fast and often, so when I'm brewing a story (like the current WIP I"m stalled on), I play with scenes, snippets of dialogue, situations, whatever it takes to keep me writing. Sometimes they turn into stories, sometimes they stink up the room.

Well, if you've been published, I'd say you're a professional. :)

That said, I find the rest of post interesting. I only started getting traction on my WIP when I started outlining, and when I threw that to the winds, I sure managed to rack up the words, but they weren't getting me anywhere, KWIM? LOL

This new one I think I'll outline the heck out of, to keep me from wandering too much. I think I need the discipline. Weird how we all have such different approaches to reach the same ends. :)

[Danger Jane]

I don't know. The last WIP I abandoned was a horrible shitfest from when I was fifteen. I ditched it because it was a horrible shitfest.

[John61480]

As I read this thread, I realized all those short stories I dumped in the trash back in '00; I would have loved to have re-read them and see if I could have reused them. I have also dumped a short fantasy novella and screenplay versions of it. All gone. I also trashed about 3 screenplays recently in '05-'06. They were written horribly, but I still remember some of the plot ideas in them. I really wished that I could have read them over and reused the ideas.

I really regret trashing my own creative work. It is just what it is, work. Hard work when you think about it, and it is such a waste to throw it out.

On a side note, I also trashed my own studio produced music CD's. I'll never be able to listen to my own written music and tell how bad they really sucked.

I have to say it again. I hate trashing stuff and I've learned my lesson. I'm a file saver now.

[Shane Fitzsimmons]

Oh, I get it: ditching in the HEAD is okay. Some of us do our explorations on paper. That's okay, too.

I don't mind you exploring things on paper, but it looks like you submitted that last post to publication before workshopping it enough. It appears that your bias is showing.

I'm always open to multiple ways to do approach a given task, but based on your responses I'm going to have to take a stand and say that sometimes it's better to work some things out in your head first.

[Siddow]

I don't mind you exploring things on paper, but it looks like you submitted that last post to publication before workshopping it enough. It appears that your bias is showing.

I'm always open to multiple ways to do approach a given task, but based on your responses I'm going to have to take a stand and say that sometimes it's better to work some things out in your head first.

What bias?

[Cranky]

I don't mind you exploring things on paper, but it looks like you submitted that last post to publication before workshopping it enough. It appears that your bias is showing.

I'm always open to multiple ways to do approach a given task, but based on your responses I'm going to have to take a stand and say that sometimes it's better to work some things out in your head first.

Whose bias? Um, Shane man, you're dangerously close to hoof in mouth here.

"You don't mind"? Might want to rephrase that one. Just a thought. This is one time working something out in writing might've been better.

Also, I don't recommend changing your stance. I think you had the right idea to begin with.

[JeanneTGC]

I never throw anything out. I cut and prune and save that, too. I do version after version (sometimes) and save them all, just in case I decide a prior version was better.

I never abandon a WIP, but if it's not flowing, then I move on to something else. I can always go back. They're mine, I love them and they love me, even if we don't always click together.

For me it's all about the flow. If it's easy, then I'm doing the right stuff on the right WIP. If it's hard (as in I have to force myself, stare at the screen with no output, or clean the house to avoid writing) then I know it's time to switch to a more ameanable WIP.

It works for me. Your results may vary. And, after all everyone's different and will approach this and any other process their own way.

[Jean Marie]

What bias?
Isn't that tape you use on seams when you're hemming? Kind of rings a bell...speaking of which, I think I just heard my kitty...

Tossing an old wip, isn't something I usually do. Or, one that I'm working on. If I'm stuck, I either walk away for a bit and do some writing exercises/prompts, go read for a while, etc. Eventually, it will pick up again, or as someone else said, it becomes parts for something else. Either way, I don't ever dump anything. Everyone has their own way of working; if we all did the same, it would be rather boring.

I don't work w/ an outline, my characters tell me the story. It's like they're waiting for me, when I sit down at the computer. Yes, I've got my notes/index cards w/ character descriptions, research, etc. And on my current wip, I've access to the local pd for technicalities. It helps that I work w/ them :) in a volunteer capacity as an emt.

[necia phoenix]

I'm wondering about this right now. I have a WIP that is going on 15,000k, but the story is really not working for me. The stakes aren't high enough, etc. This is, of course, fixable, so I've decided to just set it aside temporarily, to try and gain some perspective on it. I think by doing so I'll be able to identify whether or not it's something worth saving.

Thankfully, I have another piece that I'm working on outlining and whatnot. I've got an opening scene (quite the clunker, too, I'm not very good with dialog), but more importantly, I know this MC inside and out already. His motivations, his backstory, and I have a really good basic plot. A real, honest to goodness story there that doesn't suffer from too many cliches, imo.

So, what do you guys do when you've got serious problems with a WIP?

I shelve it.
I also ignore worries about cliche. Its so cliche to worry about cliche.
Let me share something with you.
Once upon a time I wrote this story. I thought it was really really good. Then I discovered online crit groups and made the ?mistake? of sharing it. I realized it sucked. I almost deleted it. Instead I shelved it and worked on other projects. I improved my writing, my skill, my knowledge. I poked at it now and then but it stayed shelved till this past Jan. It is now nearly complete, better for the time it aged and my skill at storytelling improved.

perhaps your story needs to age. Time away from it may give you some great insights to tell the story worthy of what you have imagined. If you understand what I mean.

[Shady Lane]

If I let myself give up before I'd finished a draft, I'd never finish anything.

Seriously. I absolutely hate everything while I write it.

I HATE what I'm writing now. With BURNING PASSION. I want to stop so badly. But my beta reader loves it and is begging me to keep going. For now, I'm doing it for him. A few drafts later, it'll be for me, too.

[BenPanced]

I haven't tossed/deleted anything, even if I think they're @55-puckering bad. On the WIPs I've abandoned, a couple I haven't touched in over 10 years, a few in about 5. Other things have come along to push them aside. Will I pick them up again? A couple of them are DOA. Some are simply lying fallow. Who knows when I'll even look at them, if at all? I just know they're there, and tossing or deleting them would be foolish, IMAHO.