Editing older stories - is it worth doing?

[oggbashan]

I have been reviewing my stories written in the last five years, originally because I wanted to convert some to .txt files for my e-reader, but also looking for plot bunnies.

I found that I didn't have a complete list of the final posted versions. Once I had corrected that and produced a complete .txt library I started looking through the whole lot.

I had edited some of the stories before mainly for major errors such as name confusion, sending the characters to the wrong place, or mentioning a DVD in a story set in the 1960s.

But I hadn't done a detailed review of my older stories for years.

I found typos in many stories. There weren't many in each. The usual editing problem was spacing of lines, not typos.

But how far do I go with editing old work? My trigger for that question was finding ONE missing letter in a complete story. The posted version had 'the' when it should have been 'they'. It doesn't seem worthwhile to submit an edited story, potentially introducing more spacing errors, just for one missing letter that no one has noticed.

What would be the point at which you consider an edit is justified? Ten typos? Ten other errors such as spacing or paragraphing? Or a plot mistake?

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I deleted all my JBJ stories but intend to edit some of them for new lives if its possible.

 

[49greg]

I don't have that many stories, but I've been waffling on the same question. I would have done at least one, with a glaring misspelling on the first page, but I'm basically lazy and haven't even done that one.

 

[Swilly]

It might depend on how much traffic the story is getting or if you might be interested in posting it elsewhere in addition to here. If it isn't getting a lot of views any longer, it hardly seems worth it.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

For mine, it depends on how old they are. Newer stories, sure, make the corrections and re-post. For older ones, forget about it.

 

[legerdemer]

Regarding the OP, a single typo seems hardly worth it, but it's also a point of pride, and something that rankles 'me' when I know that I have a story with a bunch (>5) errors. (just pulling a number out of a hat). I once got a couple in an impossible position during sex and missed it. I corrected that when someone kindly pointed it out (it was a bit subtle).

If a story isn't getting a lot of/any views anymore but you like it, it seems an opportunity to change and revive it, give it a second life as a new story. That will get new views. At that point, I'd delete the old one (if it was me).

 

[Auden James]

Self-Justification

What would be the point at which you consider an edit is justified?

Simple: Whenever you think an edit is justified!

Greets,
AJ

 

[Carnevil9]

I wouldn't bother. I'd take the time saved by not fixing it and use it to work on a new story. But I'd also try to update my proofreading process so that particular error doesn't happen again. Never look back, always forward!

 

[TxRad]

When i post the story for money, then i worry about edits.

With free, you get what's you gets for your money.

 

[DreamCloud]

When i post the story for money, then i worry about edits.

With free, you get what's you gets for your money.

Fully agree. Spend more time creating new content.

 

[oggbashan]

It might depend on how much traffic the story is getting or if you might be interested in posting it elsewhere in addition to here. If it isn't getting a lot of views any longer, it hardly seems worth it.

Traffic? Age of the story doesn't seem to matter. I get very old stories favorited and a few comments.

For mine, it depends on how old they are. Newer stories, sure, make the corrections and re-post. For older ones, forget about it.

Two or three of my older ones should be deleted or substantially rewritten. I'm not going to do that. I've left them as a reminder to do better.

Regarding the OP, a single typo seems hardly worth it, but it's also a point of pride, and something that rankles 'me' when I know that I have a story with a bunch (>5) errors. (just pulling a number out of a hat). I once got a couple in an impossible position during sex and missed it. I corrected that when someone kindly pointed it out (it was a bit subtle).

If a story isn't getting a lot of/any views anymore but you like it, it seems an opportunity to change and revive it, give it a second life as a new story. That will get new views. At that point, I'd delete the old one (if it was me).

Pride? I suppose part of it is pride of workmanship, but if I'm thinking about workmanship then the major rewrites should be done.

I have so many plot bunnies reproducing that I'm not going to rewrite older ones.

I wouldn't bother. I'd take the time saved by not fixing it and use it to work on a new story. But I'd also try to update my proofreading process so that particular error doesn't happen again. Never look back, always forward!

Proofreading? I try hard but I don't use editors. Time saved? I started the review process to get a coherent and complete list of my posted stories. It was a diversion because I was stuck on the two new stories I'm writing for Halloween.

I use Word's review process as a tool to look for typos and spacing but generally I can produce reasonable clean text, and ignore most of Word's suggestions.

I find that looking back can help with the new stuff.

 

[HeyAll]

If I find a mistake in an old story, I'll submit the edit.

The stories are going to be around for years and years, and people still read them.

So why not fix it? It's weird knowing that there's a blatant error in your story and people are going to see it.

 

[oggbashan]

...

So why not fix it? It's weird knowing that there's a blatant error in your story and people are going to see it.

Blatant error? Yes, I'd fix it. I probably already have.

But one missing letter? Is that worth the effort?

 

[Weird Harold]

But one missing letter? Is that worth the effort?

Unless that missing letter changes what you meant to say radically, don't waste the time to resubmit.

Spelling errors, minor typos, an extra paragraph break, -- no problem, leave them.

A missing word that changes the meaning of a sentence or affects the plot -- fix it; unless the stories are, like mine, nearly a decade old, in which case the horse has left the barn, so to speak.

 

[sr71plt]

I think when considering an edit, an author should take into account that they are reoccupying a full submissions slot and thus putting off someone's original submission for Laurel's attention. That doesn't mean that significant errors shouldn't be fixed, but it does mean that great care should be put into the original submission to keep such errors down and that some regard should be made for other authors trying to get the first-crack at their story in and for Laurel's attention time.

 

[oggbashan]

I think when considering an edit, an author should take into account that they are reoccupying a full submissions slot and thus putting off someone's original submission for Laurel's attention. That doesn't mean that significant errors shouldn't be fixed, but it does mean that great care should be put into the original submission to keep such errors down and that some regard should be made for other authors trying to get the first-crack at their story in and for Laurel's attention time.

I am very aware of that which is why I started this thread.

One missing letter doesn't justify my effort not Laurel's. But I'm still unsure about the level of edit that would be worthwhile.

A serious flaw in the story? Yes. I had one in my recent story Jeanie The Genie. No one else noticed it even though I said there was an error, but it was irritating me like a loose tooth. I didn't want to edit it during the contest - just my own choice because I think my contest stories should stand or fall on the version I originally posted. But once the contest had ended I wanted to remove that logical flaw.

Formatting errors that I missed on Preview? I don't think an edit is justified for those on their own.

A few missed typos? Unless they really change the sense - no edit.

I'm still trying to find a formula that helps me decide whether to edit or not. The responses to this thread are helpful, but I haven't reached a conclusive answer.

 

[sr71plt]

I'd normally say that once a story leaves the "New" list, it's not worth fixing because few are going to read it, but, in fact, back lists (at least mine) are pretty heavily read here.

 

[oggbashan]

I'd normally say that once a story leaves the "New" list, it's not worth fixing because few are going to read it, but, in fact, back lists (at least mine) are pretty heavily read here.

That's what started my review. I had a couple of feedback emails on stories I had posted in my first few weeks on Literotica - 13 years ago. Those stories were written 15 or more years ago, yet they are still read.

 

[lovecraft68]

My take on it is seeing this is a free site, I think its a waste of time. Why would I spend hours/days editing stuff from three years ago when I can be writing new stuff?

I also kind of like leaving my first few stories-absolute nightmarish quality IMO- to compare them to where I am now.

One thing I wish readers would do(Out of a lot of things) is note when a story was written.

I'll have a person comment on some of my newer stuff then leave a comment on something five years old and say "Wow, you really rushed through this, there were a lot of mistakes."

Either that or they see it and it does not occur to them people get better over time.

 

[legerdemer]

....
One thing I wish readers would do(Out of a lot of things) is note when a story was written.

I'll have a person comment on some of my newer stuff then leave a comment on something five years old and say "Wow, you really rushed through this, there were a lot of mistakes."

Either that or they see it and it does not occur to them people get better over time.

Well, given the length of your stories, my dear, if anyone else's memory is like mine, and/or they read the story over several days, they are separated from the date of submission by many Lit pages. The only other opportunity is when they post a comment, and readers may post their comments before looking at the other comments posted to see their date.

But yes, wouldn't it be nice....

Though I must say, I am happy with anyone reading my, uh... fantasies... and giving me feedback at all.

 

[Gorza]

The comment about each edit taking up a new submission slot is salient, particularly because I have a new story sitting there in pending limbo. Yet I wonder whether Laurel waves these through more quickly, especially if the notes entry outlines what changes have been made (i.e. that it clearly hasn't been edited to break the submission guidelines).

I do know of a few authors who repeatedly rewrite their submissions, each being a fairly heavy rewrite rather than an edit. I think the underlying principle in this is an author obsessed with a single fantasy.

Traffic seems to be pretty high for old stories, and it's difficult to benchmark what an average rate of views might be.

Like parents being more aware of their children misbehaving, authors are often more sensitive to infelicities in their writing than others. I would reckon that most of these edits or corrections would not substantially improve readers' experience of the story, let alone have a substantial effect on ratings. Thus, it seems likely that to edit is for your own peace of mind rather than making a substantially better read.

 

[lovecraft68]

I don't think edited versions taking up 'precious' space in the new story file for Laurel to edit is valid simply because its becoming more and more apparent by what is posted to this site, its rare that a story actually gets looked at.

And I have thought for a long time that when a name like OGG or TX Rad or DG Hear or Pilot....etc....pops up in the que it just gets published without a glance. I don't think any time is spent on the stories of long time members with no track record of 'pushing things' content wise.

Then again as I said, looking at the content going up on this site I think that's the case for everything.

 

[Gorza]

I don't think edited versions taking up 'precious' space in the new story file for Laurel to edit is valid simply because its becoming more and more apparent by what is posted to this site, its rare that a story actually gets looked at.

And I have thought for a long time that when a name like OGG or TX Rad or DG Hear or Pilot....etc....pops up in the que it just gets published without a glance. I don't think any time is spent on the stories of long time members with no track record of 'pushing things' content wise.

Then again as I said, looking at the content going up on this site I think that's the case for everything.

The problem with this discussion is that there is so much that we don't know. It is difficult to compare statistics of page views, and the software does not distinguish unique page views. Likewise, we don't have data on publishing times.

If lots of authors repeatedly edited published stories, that would create a problem. We can all agree that it's better to get the thing right before submission, but I get to the point where I can't stare at the text any longer. Some authors do suffer from premature submissions.

In the end, it's better to move on, and let one's 'juvenilia' be just that. Only if one's past sins begin to haunt one's sleep might one feel justified in editing them to a place of rest.

 

[Hypoxia]

We write because we must. If a story demands to be told, it will claw its way out of you.

We edit because we must. If an itch demands to be scratched, you will claw at it bloodily.

One of these days I'll fix a few egregious errors -- when my voices tell me to. Not before.

 

[nymph817]

I have been reviewing my stories written in the last five years, originally because I wanted to convert some to .txt files for my e-reader, but also looking for plot bunnies.
...

What would be the point at which you consider an edit is justified? Ten typos? Ten other errors such as spacing or paragraphing? Or a plot mistake?

Perhaps this is just me, if I make a single error, I will always consider doing an EDIT. And I'm always fidgeting with my stories (local files), making changes here and there in them.

EDITING is a writer's life, Oggbashan. I would not shirk it, not for an instance. It is only through editing and upgrading do you become a critical writer, one that does not accept difficulties or problems in your stories.

If there is something wrong, fix it ! If you can improve the definition, clarity, or language, do so !

In the end, it is worth it because you will always have a better story, more easily read and more certainly enjoyed.

Strive to write in a style that promotes "re-reading." That is, your story is so good and so interesting that readers will come back to it later, maybe days or weeks from now, but they will return to read your masterpiece once again.

Those are my http://www.writerscafe.org/uploads/rte/17b6ae0d0e56d80614b1beb283d2055d.png http://www.writerscafe.org/uploads/rte/17b6ae0d0e56d80614b1beb283d2055d.png