How do you know when to quit?

[Rinelle]

I don't think I've ever called it quits on a story. Put it aside for a while, yes, completely changed the plot points, sure, but I haven't ever totally scrapped anything. I do have some stories sitting there that I haven't finished yet, but I'll get back to them eventually.

[Sarah]

Rinelle wrote: "I don't think I've ever called it quits on a story. Put it aside for a while, yes, completely changed the plot points, sure, but I haven't ever totally scrapped anything. I do have some stories sit..."

I have several in the hold position too, though I do have one or two that I should really delete - first scribbles, that will never see light of day!

[S.K.]

Like Rinelle and Sarah, I have stories that I've started and then 'put aside' to look at again later. In fact, I'm going to be trying to finish one this week depending on the muse co-operating. I don't think I've ever just decided to chuck something - the characters and idea just haven't fully formed yet and maybe need to percolate.

Unless you absolutely hate what you've done and then you might want to ceremoniously throw it away? :)

[Dwayne]

Renee wrote: "I'm sure there's been a thread on this before but I just haven't seen it. How do you know when a piece just isn't working and it's time to call it quits or if you just haven't figured it out yet?"

I'll echo what others have said: never quit a story. NEVER! If a story is not working out, put it aside for a while. It could even be years before you look at it again, but do not just abandon it. When you go back to it, maybe you will find most of it unusable. Take the stuff that is usable and do something with it. Reconstruct the story around the good parts.

[A.J.]

I write different genres of erotic romance and always have a few stories on the go. That way if I get stuck on one I can just move to another.

I don't ever chuck anything. I even keep scenes I've deleted from certain books in a "mishmash" file, because you never know when that might be just the thing your looking for.

Like others before me have said, a little break and some fresh eyes is usually all it takes.

Good Luck!