drafts are auto deleted when they are sent, logically when you send a mail it is no longer a draft, but a final. Want to use the same basic text to many mails, that is what templates are for.

Thank you Matt, you answered the "why". You are basically telling me there is no other way to control what goes in and out. Is there any other way or place I can use or put something that I work on, go back to it, and then put it back etc. I am a writer and I always used info this way in outlook drafts file. Please, what could I use, as it is continually different when I change it, and working on it off and on? A lot of my research is often done through email and it is this portion of my writing only I had been putting into drafts. I am guessing Templates won't work. My husband died recently and he was the most amazing computer genius. I assume you too are a genius at Thunderbird. I am new to Thunderbird, and trying to be better at it all the time. This issue has defeated me. I will be truly grateful for your help. Thank you. Susan