My Writing Process: What I Learned Rewriting Night Shade my Paranormal Romance Book

My Writing Process: What I Learned Rewriting Night Shade my Paranormal Romance Book

I started Night Shade back in December 2019, full of excitement for Daniella's story and the vampire romance world I wanted to create. But like many writers, life got in the way, other projects took priority, and the manuscript sat untouched for months. When I finally decided to dive back in, I learned something crucial about my writing process: sometimes the best way forward is to go back to the beginning.

What I Found When I Revisited My Old Manuscript

Here's what surprised me most: I didn't need to change as much as I thought I would. Sure, I knew a lot less back then about craft, pacing, and character development. But the foundation was solid. The story I'd been so passionate about was still there, still worth telling.

Going back to that earlier version of Night Shade, I could see both how far I'd come and how some instincts had been right from the beginning. The voice was there, the characters felt real, and the world I'd started building had good bones. It just needed the refinement that comes with experience.

That first draft wasn't perfect—far from it—but it had heart. And sometimes that's the most important thing you can capture in a story.

How Rewriting Showed Me My Growth as a Writer

The rewrite also showed me how much my technical skills had improved. I could see places where the pacing dragged, where character motivations needed clarification, where the vampire romance could be more emotionally engaging.

But instead of feeling discouraged by these discoveries, I felt excited. I had the tools now to make the story everything I'd originally envisioned.

By the time I finished revising that first third of the book, I felt more connected to Daniella's story than ever. It wasn't just about fixing what was wrong—it was about honoring what was already working and making it stronger.

Why Revisiting Old Writing Matters

Whether you're working on your first novel or your tenth, there's something powerful about revisiting old work with fresh eyes. Growth doesn't invalidate your earlier efforts—it enhances them.

If you have a manuscript sitting in a drawer somewhere, maybe it's worth taking another look. You might be surprised by what you find. The story that felt impossible to finish a year ago might just be waiting for the writer you've become since then.

For me, rewriting a novel I'd set aside wasn't just about completing a paranormal romance—it was about recognizing how much I'd grown and trusting that the stories that call to us are worth pursuing, even when the timing isn't perfect.

If you're curious about where Night Shade ended up after all that rewriting, you can find it here.