Need to Start Over, any advice?

I guess if you want to rewrite your story then do it. I think that is a pretty simple answer, because if you want to rewrite your story, all you have to do is do it. If you are confused on how you are telling it, read novels or stories from different genres and you may be ble to see how others have written stories.

Or take a while and plan your story from top to bottom. Write character profiles and all that jazz so you know who your characters are. Also, this site is a good place to show off your work, and have it proofread.

But goodluck with your work.

If you decide to re-write your story, my suggestion is to start from scratch with only what you have in your mind. I wouldn't take the original and try to patch it. If it's not good enough for you now, chances are the words you wrote will drag you down if you reuse them. Start afresh with a real belief that you can get it done and get it published this time.

Okay, you've determined you like the basic story, and you've been away from it for awhile. So now's a good time to think outside the box. Take what you do like about it (any overall story elements, plot points, genre elements, characters, sometimes even dialogue) and set those aside. Look at them in a new way and brainstorm different stories you could tell with those elements. Allow yourself to get as far away from your original work as your imagination will take you.

You may end up with a completely different story in the end (I did with my latest project!), or you may come back to the original story with a fresh perspective. Or you may realize there's not enough there for a truly compelling story and it's time to move on, try something different.

Hope this helps and good luck!

P.S. - Maybe it's also time to get some outside feedback. You could try SYW or a crit partner or an online writing group or feedback site. Just a thought.

I'd suggest starting from scratch. Outline/plot like you just had a great idea for a new book, and use the basic premise that you like. You'll be tempted to use the old text, but you'll probably write better if you just start new. Old text almost always has inherent flaws we can't fix (or don't see). And we get bogged down in it because we want to stick to what we did before.

Then just start writing however you like to write. Find a great opening, a kick butt first line and go for it.

Hmm, if you once liked your first story, but are getting kind of sick of it after shopping it around, keep it shelved. Start writing another story, finish it, then shop that around. Then go back and polish your first with the skills garnered writing the second.

Sincerely,
Mr Moe