Juggling Chapters: Correcting The Balance

During my edit session today, I came across two chapters that I enjoyed reading. I had forgotten I had written them if the truth be told. They were drafted at the start of my novel writing days, and I never found the correct place for them.

They both had dialogue between the same characters, and I felt that the conversation side of the chapter would be useful. I played around with both chapter x and y. I found character C, of no use at all, so sent him over to novel two waiting area.
Character D was a lively chap, so I decided he might enjoy the company of Character F, instead of E.
It worked! They got on so well, in fact she ended up pregnant and they married. They are only worker ants in the scheme of things, but their work is important.

Next I wondered where to put them. Were they in the right department? No, they were out of place, most definately out of their depth, so they moved house. Yeah! That worked wonders and gave me chance to introduce dialogue from y.

I then set about chapter y, it was too far along in the storyline and now stood out like a sore thumb, 'hey look at me, I make no sense at all now'. It needed to move back three or four chapters. So I decided to start at chapter one and move onwards, until I found its niche.

It stayed as part of chapter one, it balanced the whole scene and introduced dialogue.
I had not brought a conversation into the wip for a few chapters. Introducing it now, I realise how flat the novel was at the start, interesting yet devoid of life. The conversation brought my work alive for me.

DH brought coffee and informed me that a lunch was ready, (see how spoilt I am?). Refreshed I returned to the ms. I read the new pages through in one session, yes much better. So what about the others?

I printed them all off, laid them on the floor, then I sat and played. The chapter juggling process was worth it, my ms now has characters who belong together and can hold a conversation.
It just goes to show, just when you think you have completed your work, there is always a way to improve it.
The added bonus to this is that I have a character in waiting for Ripped Genes. I have put something I learned into practice and it worked. I have cut down editing time by days.
My critique friend is reading the old version at the moment, as soon as she hands over that, I will ask her to glance at the new version and await her opinion.
I have an idea that she might enjoy the second one a little better. I will let you know.