One thing we all have in common as writers is unfinished projects. We let these documents exist on our hard drives or printed drafts that are then tucked away into folders we stuff into desk drawers. For fun (and out of curiosity!) I decided to go through the files on my computer and examine just a few of the drafts that have been left uncompleted. Maybe I’ll uncover something I want to revisit!
In my fiction folder:
Pieces of a novel titled “Crying Wolf” that I began in 2004. There are only a few chapters and an outline in the folder and I have no recollection of writing this. Based on the subject matter, I was working through frustrations with some uncomfortable family dynamics at the time.
The first novel I ever completed, which has changed genres twice (from adult to young adult) and has evolved through at least three different titled changes. Completed but never published.
A middle-grade time travel book titled “Camp Big and Bright.” Completed, but never published and needs revision.
A young adult romance/thriller novel titled “Screen Play.” I sent the first few chapters off to Writer’s Digest for a critique by one of their contractors and was so mortified by her comments that I never opened the document again.
My latest novel, a suspense/thriller, which a few agents requested but never offered representation. I’ve put it on hold for now, but it also needs more revision.
A new draft of a novel, an adult contemporary time loop story, that has 6,000 words and a full outline in the folder. I’m currently back to working on this project.
Short stories:
I have a lot of completed drafts in this folder, some that have even won awards, but there are also drafts of only a few pages in at least three or four documents. This folder is worth revisiting because I think there are stories that could be submitted to various markets with beta readers, critiques, and additional revision.
In my non-fiction folder:
There’s a short piece I wrote fifteen years ago about the steps I went through to become a writer. Maybe that’s worth revisiting.
I have several essays I’ve written, revised, and submitted to contests with no luck in the past several years. I can look for new markets for those.
A full outline of a true crime book based on stories I’ve shared in my podcast has been completed. Text and sources have been transferred into this document—but it needs more work.
I found a folder of a few drafts of blog posts from when my kids were still small, and I thought about breaking into “mommy blogging.” They are in their 20s now. I think I’ll just let those be.
A draft of an essay I started writing about the contentious posts you see on the NextDoor app and neighborhood Facebook pages. I wanted to lean into humor on that one, but I originally started it during the pandemic so some of the bullets are no longer relevant. That might be worth taking another look at and revising.
These are just a few things I found on my hard drive, and they don’t include my published work. But there is still plenty of raw material to work with! I encourage you to go through your own files soon and see where you can find some new sources of inspiration.
Have you unearthed any hidden treasure in your writing files lately? I'd love to hear about it!
Renee Roberson is an award-winning writer who also produces the weekly true crime podcast, Missing in the Carolinas. Learn more about her at FinishedPages.com.
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