Navigating the Creative Process and Avoiding Hasty Submissions

nativilleneuve
Jun 22
2 min read

Woman writing at a table surrounded by crumpled papers. Text beside her reads, "Never truly discard a scene; tuck it away in your drafts." — The Premature "The End": Navigating the **Creative Process** and Avoiding Hasty Submissions

Hey everyone,

You know that feeling when you think you're done with something, only to realize there's more to uncover? That's exactly where I'm at with my novel right now, and it's a feeling I think many first-time writers can relate to. I recently dove into my earliest drafts – the very first scribblings from about a year ago – and what I found was surprising, and honestly, a little exciting.

I discovered a bunch of scenes I'd somehow set aside, not deleted, thank goodness! It’s funny how that happens, isn’t it? You’re so focused on moving forward, on getting the words down, that some gems just get tucked away. But as I reread them, a strong feeling washed over me: these scenes feel like they've always been a part of the story I wanted to tell. They fit in seamlessly, adding depth and color I didn't even realize were missing. This is a crucial part of the creative process, and it's important to embrace it.

This whole experience got me thinking about what we might call "errors" in early writing. Are they really mistakes? I'm starting to think not. I believe the real misstep for a new writer isn't in having discarded scenes or needing to go back and revise.

The true "mistake" is submitting your story too easily, too quickly, without being truly sure it's the story you had in your mind.

When you're starting out, there's a huge temptation to just finish it and get it out there. The excitement of typing "The End" is powerful! But if you don't take the time to really sit with your manuscript, to dig through those early thoughts and discarded ideas, you might be missing out on making your story as strong as it can be. Those forgotten scenes, those early concepts, often hold the raw essence of your initial vision. Reintegrating them, or even just letting them spark new ideas, can make your narrative richer, more coherent, and ultimately, more you. This is the messy, beautiful creative process in action.

For me, this means the revising and writing continues. It's a bit like a treasure hunt, unearthing pieces that make the overall picture shine brighter. And yes, I know I've "jumped the gun" on asking my proofreaders for a read-through more than once now!

But as they've wisely told me before, you truly do know when your story is done. It's a feeling, a sense of quiet completeness that settles in. And until that feeling arrives, the work continues.

So, for any first-time writers out there, my advice is this: don't be afraid to revisit your past drafts. Don't call it a mistake if you find new ways to make your manuscript stronger. It's all part of the creative process, and it’s a sign that you’re truly committed to crafting the best possible story. Embrace the mess, trust your instincts, and know that even those seemingly discarded pieces can hold the key to unlocking your story's full potential.