Objectively speaking, the two versions are probably always about the same--indeed, when I find the first version again afterwards, just how similar the two are is almost always shocking. I have two notebooked versions of a TLiH scene (one where Fr. Marcus picks up Faith, Kennedy, and Maddy at the airport) which are almost exactly the same, even the points which I thought were new and innovative. It's scary.
This is very different than when I write a second draft--for example when I make changes or add embellishments while transcribing something I notebooked. Those are all improvements--obviously, since I wouldn't make the changes otherwise.
But when I don't have access to a draft anymore, and fear I will never have access to that draft anymore, I tend to ideallize. I know that some of the turns of phrase I come up with the second time 'round are improvements, but I also know other fall short of my first version--there are always transitions which seemed natural in the first version, but are forced in the second version so as to artificially parallel what was already created organically the first time.
no subject
This is very different than when I write a second draft--for example when I make changes or add embellishments while transcribing something I notebooked. Those are all improvements--obviously, since I wouldn't make the changes otherwise.
But when I don't have access to a draft anymore, and fear I will never have access to that draft anymore, I tend to ideallize. I know that some of the turns of phrase I come up with the second time 'round are improvements, but I also know other fall short of my first version--there are always transitions which seemed natural in the first version, but are forced in the second version so as to artificially parallel what was already created organically the first time.