I tend to just write a bunch of isolated scenes in the middle, and then go back to the beginning without really checking my first scribbles unless I'm stuck. If something gets cut, I put it inside a box so that it's still there. I'll sometimes make a copy and then clean out old notes from the file.

If it my original work I typically use 2-3 main drafts before constant minor alterations. If it is piece of fanfiction typically I do a draft then alterations.

It comes down to the fact that my drafts are completely different. It is not uncommon for my writing to change genre draft to draft. When I do a new draft I metaphorically blow it up and only salvage the very best. Sometimes all that remains is a title and a character name.

To be honest, up until recently having a straight draft and not just something that I repeatedly tweaked was a pretty recent thing for me; it's much harder to keep on tweaking when you're writing on paper. You just have to keep going. (Which might explain the relative amount of productiveness I've squeezed out lately.)

But truly, that's the point of drafts- to have something to rework and tweak into a better story with the next version.

With Stormbreak, for example, I wrote the vast majority in a tiny notebook that could fit into my pocket, whenever I thought I had the time or could sneak in a few sentences. Sometimes this was in the dark (protip: Avoid doing that when you can).

Afterwards, I'd retype what I had into my tablet, generally in large chunks so I'd get a page or three typed up at a time.

Between the amount of time it took, progression in the story in the notebook itself, and being unable to read some of my handwriting (each section would usually get a small label that'd tell me a quick summary), I'd change things to suit later details and keep the pace how I wanted it to go once it hit the actual point of being typed.

Whenever we hit a port and I got wifi, I'd sync it so it could get read and have discrepencies and other errors pointed out, at which point I'd change the things that caused those issues.

So the published version is closer to about... two and a half drafts of work.

I'm also finding out that working with an outline- even the most limited of ones- actually helps make it go a lot faster when it comes to not writing myself into a knot and keeping things going apace.

Once I've written out a story, I force myself to wait at least a week without actually touching it. Then, I reread the entire thing in one go, correcting errors as I go and making notes about anything that needs to change. Then I look at all the things in my notes, and rework those sections of the story as best I can.

Then, I wait another week and reread the whole story again, then repeat the revision process. The week-long waits are to make me lose familiarity with my story, so I don't tend to skim as much, and am forced to examine each sentence more closely.

After this revision is usually when I start seeking out betas, assuming I'm happy with the product at this point.

Depending on whether the particular story is something I can work on easily from work (which isn't often; my workplace is a zoo, after all), I may write out an earlier draft on paper there and transfer it to computer at home later. I've found this is also useful for catching mistakes and fixing issues, since I have to copy literally every word over again.

—doctorlit is made of anal-retention and precision

I'm more of a serial tweaker; I write something, then tweak it until I'm satisfied. If I discard something, I probably won't write it. The only exception is when schoolwork forces me to use drafts, in which case I do.