Why can't I ever write a novel in the right order first time around.

Editing, to me, has become the most important part of crafting a novel. For some reason, I've never been able to put things where they belong first time around. I know a story should have a beginning, middle and an ending. Where I put them is often a mystery.

It's nothing for me to finish a novel, read it over and realize chapter 3 is stronger than chapter 1. So I cut and paste and switch them around. This is where the 'fun' begins because when you start switching chapters you need to make sure that the one before the switched chapter and the one following is in sync. So you rewrite those, too. Then you read on and realize you've done it again. Here's come another switch. Chapter 4 should come much later in the novel because it reveals too much of the mystery. So you cut and paste and here comes another major rewrite.

In this last novel, The Fifth Deadly Sin, I was blocked because I had two strong plots running simultaneously, although one had to be a subplot. I don't imagine two plots running parallel is the way the story's supposed to go. So I ended the subplot mid novel. Then I couldn't finish because everything that followed seemed weak in comparison. So I moved two chapters to the end and did another major rewrite. Bummer. However, then I was able to finish the novel.

I seriously believe I have a hyper glitch in my brain that makes me think out of order. But then I figure so long as I finally get the novel done, and in the right order, it's not so bad. Just a lot more editing than most authors do. Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we all have those glitches. Imagine that.