Can you share an experience where your initial draft took a completely different direction after revisions, and how that improved the final product?

In my fiction writing, I have often found that there has been some space for a whole new chapter either at the beginning or middle of the story that strengthened the overall work. In nonfiction writing adding new chapters or even moving chapters around gave the work a different, in my opinion, better reading experience. It's not always pleasurable to realize you need to add several more hours of work, but when it can breathe new life into a project it is worth it.  

I want to reiterate what other freelancers have said on the subject and state that I do not allow revisions that fall outside the initial scope of work because that is dangerous territory. Revisions are for exactly what the name implies: to revise existing work. 

If we're talking about personal writing projects, then, yes, I've had books that have taken a wide left turn during my proofreading stage. 

So, let's ask the real question: How do I mitigate situations in which the buyer wants to change the narrative during a revision? 

First, I state my stance on revisions straight out of the gate. Second, I make sure that we have a clear outline (nonfiction) or plot and Fichtean curve (fiction) before we get started. I'm more than happy to do the extra leg work for free before we get started if it means we're not going to run into lengthy, non-consented revisions when the project should be coming to a close. 

If I feel that the client is still uncertain about the direction, I strongly recommend that we opt for working on a single chapter at a time. That way, if they want to change the plot halfway through or want to stop writing for a period of time, there is nothing lost. We simply wrap the chapter that we're currently working on and shift trajectory or call it a day. 

Sure! (First of all, keep in mind that when you work with a ghostwriter, there may be limited free revisions, and if more are needed, there is usually a charge.) I've worked with an author who completely changed her outlook on some of the topics during the course of writing the book. This meant that some parts no longer seemed relevant.

This resulted in moving in completely different directions at times. But really, this is rare! Usually when a client comes to me with a book idea, especially with nonfiction, drafts don't change that drastically.

How did that improve the final book? Well, this is another strangely worded AI question, but I guess it was improved bc the author liked the final revision.

Look, writing is an art. Beyond grammar, spelling, etc., it is not a science. It is important to allow for the art to take charge. 

Personal note: I did write a children's book based on a workshop where I took a bunch of audience-generated ideas and created the outline and first draft. When I gave it to my editor, we ended up cutting most of the ideas (including my fave character), tightening one theme, and building up a rando character. It 100% made the book SO MUCH BETTER! 

This is why a developmental edit is so important after a first draft of a book is written! Especially with fiction.

Hope this helps!