Never go back.

A few weeks ago, I was debating whether to make a major change in my current WIP. I felt it was a necessary change, but since I hadn't written it, I didn't know how it was going to play out. My coworker said, "I think you should just try writing it the new way. If you don't like it, you can always change it back to what you had."

I thought about it and said, "Actually, no. I can't. I never go back. I might very well make more major alterations, but I've never taken anything back to what it was before. It's always better after the changes."

She said, "Well, there's your answer."

There it is.

And now I'm debating again. I came up with a new, slightly altered history between two of my characters. If I write it in, it will change the feel of a few of the scenes and put a whole new undercurrent whenever the characters are together. Everything will be deeper, more meaningful, and, in some ways, darker.

Part of me doesn't want to make the change. It takes out some of the "fun" and light in the characters' relationship. Their caustic banter might not be quite so amusing. At the same time, I'm pretty set that this is the right way to go. It's interesting, adds layers, and gives purpose.

I've already made the change in my head; it's probably time to do it in the outline and the draft as well...