The Writer’s Leftovers
You know when you open the fridge after a big feast and see a smorgasbord of leftovers? There’s the half-eaten pie, a sliver of lasagna, and possibly a very-questionable casserole container shoved into the back. Sure, some of it might not have much to offer (RIP, overcooked green beans), but with a little creativity, those odds and ends can transform into something amazing. And isn’t that what writing is, too? Taking fragments and making something brilliant?
Your abandoned drafts, forgotten characters, and once-brilliant-but-now-shelved ideas are like those leftovers. Maybe the project didn’t work at the time, but those creative morsels can show up in something new—and shine.
Why Your Leftovers Are Creative Gold
Pause before you trash that draft or sigh in defeat over an abandoned idea. The magic of leftovers lies in their potential. Sure, your original project might not have come together, or the scraps you find might not have made the final cut, but creativity doesn’t function on an all-or-nothing basis. Those discarded bits still hold value—they just need some re-imagining.
For example:
That subplot that derailed your novel? It could become the backbone of a short story.
That compelling lead character who didn’t quite fit into that book could be the perfect protagonist (or even a great villain) for your next.
The world-building from your scrapped fantasy epic? It’s still there, waiting for someone to explore it again.
The point is, leftovers can be a springboard for fresh ideas. Even if the original story burned to a creative crisp, there’s always something worth reusing.
Scraping the Plate (Without the Guilt)
Before we get into how to reuse leftovers, let’s talk about the guilt. Writers tend to be hard on themselves about projects that don’t pan out, or the darlings they had to cut from the final draft.
But cut is not killed. Your ideas might not have landed on the plate perfectly the first time, but they’ve still got flavor. Maybe that project was practice, sharpening your skills for the next attempt. Or maybe a “failure” was just a stepping stone to an unexpected direction.
Give yourself permission to approach your old half-baked drafts and trimmed snippets with curiosity, not judgment.
Cooking Up Something New with Old Ingredients
Now, the fun part—getting creative with what you’ve got. Here are some ways to dig into your pile of “writer leftovers” and find hidden treasures:
1. The Scene Stew
Sometimes, a single scene or moment stands out in an otherwise lifeless draft. Maybe it’s a witty snippet of dialogue, a poignant interaction, or a beautifully described setting. Instead of letting it languish, pluck it out and start fresh.
How to Use It:
Take that scene and ask yourself, “What’s its core?” Is it a dynamic relationship? A thematic nugget? Build a new story around it. What happens before or after? Adjust the characters, setting, or tone to suit something new, and suddenly you have a brand new draft brimming with potential.
2. The Character Chop
You know that character you loved writing—the one who felt real to you but just didn’t fit into their original story? Bring them back. Characters outlive drafts, and sometimes they’re just waiting for the right context to thrive.
How to Use It:
Revise their backstory or tweak their personality as needed, then consider how they might fit into a new narrative. It might take some reshaping, but the essence of who they are can be saved—and better yet, reimagined.
3. The Plot Twist Reheat
Sometimes, a discarded project holds a brilliant twist or unique idea that was buried under… well, everything else. Salvage that twist and give it a new story to disrupt.
How to Use It:
Strip the twist away from your original story. Then, think about how it could be applied elsewhere. How would it change if it happened to completely different characters? Could it shift genre?
4. The Worldbuilding Remix
Created a sprawling fantasy world that fell apart under the weight of plot holes? Don’t throw it out. Worldbuilding is tough work, and that imaginary landscape may deserve a second chance.
How to Use It:
Detach it from its original story. Then, build a different narrative that fits the shape of your world. Who else lives there? What other conflicts could arise?
5. The Mash-Up Method
Got multiple incomplete projects? Don’t toss them one-by-one—combine them. Sometimes, all it takes is merging two seemingly unrelated ideas and watching sparks fly.
How to Use It:
Look at different abandoned drafts side by side. Could characters from one story inhabit the world of the other? Could a subplot from one become the main arc of another? Play mix-and-match until something clicks.
6. The Leftover Writing Exercise
If an idea doesn’t inspire a completely new story, use it as a jumping-off point for practice exercises to improve your craft.
How to Use It:
Turn a discarded scene, concept, or character into a writing exercise. Rewrite it in a different genre, through a different point of view, or with a new twist. Even if it doesn’t lead to something major, it sharpens your skills—and might trigger unexpected inspiration.
Stale Bread Still Makes Great Croutons
Even the best writers have a drawer stuffed with unfinished manuscripts, “meh” ideas, and random lines (trust me, I have a whole collection). Those odds and ends are too valuable to trash outright. Stories rarely appear fully formed—they’re built. And sometimes, they’re rebuilt.
The beauty of leftovers is that they’re never the same twice. With some care and a sprinkle of imagination, you can reintroduce those scrapped pieces of writing to your creative table. Who knows—today’s forgotten subplot could become the centerpiece of your next big novel.
So, the next time you’re cleaning up your creative fridge, don’t despair when you find abandoned drafts or half-formed ideas. Those scraps might just surprise you—if you give them the chance.
Now, who’s hungry?
