Redo the entire book!?

Hello to casual readers and fans alike!

Lately, my ability to sympathize with my characters has become somewhat lacking. So as an individual with access to knowledgeable professors of English (in this particular case only one), I have asked for advice on my writing. I have not showed my professor my actual work up until now, but since she is familiar with my writing style, I suspect that she knows what she is saying. Despite my best efforts though, I have had a difficult time comprehending the entire meaning of her words "Start from the beginning, and then write without characters through to the end."

I understand the literal meaning, but the questions concerning my work seem to pile up in my head: what shall I do with the hundred or so pages of notes I have compiled for my first four chapters? will I be able to even use what I have decided was best so far? are my characters going to be the same if I rewrite everything? and if I do, will they develop the way I meant for them to?

These questions are some of the thoughts that ran through my mind after she gave her suggestion to restart. But would my restarting mean that my efforts thus far were for naught?

C. Olson