What's the best way to majorly edit a published story?

[SilenceDances]

After I published the first two installments of my story, I discovered the forums. People gave me some great feedback on my writing, and I realized I needed to go back to the drawing board. I understand that there is just one person reading all the stories for content, and that edited stories get updated later. I'm not editing for grammar, I am rewriting major plot points, and going into more detail.

If I republish the story under a new name, that feels unfair to the person who has to read and approve all the stories, however, even the name of my story might need to be changed as my plot seems to be about more than I expected when I began.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[HeyAll]

Delete the current stories. Then after you fix everything, re-submit it.

I've done that before. There were stories of mine, older ones, that I didn't like and took down. Then I decided to fix them and re-submit.

Simple as that.

 

[sr71plt]

Delete the current stories. Then after you fix everything, re-submit it.

I've done that before. There were stories of mine, older ones, that I didn't like and took down. Then I decided to fix them and re-submit.

Simple as that.

I agree with this. But I'd suggest only doing it once or twice and after that just waving them good-bye and going on to something new rather than constantly tinkering with something old and just irritating readers who realize they've read a version before and bogging down the site editor's time and inconveniencing other authors who aren't as fussy with water-under-the-bridge efforts as that. You aren't doing this to compete for a Pulitzer.

 

[SilenceDances]

You aren't doing this to compete for a Pulitzer.

Thank you for the reminder. I'm very much a perfectionist.

 

[sr71plt]

Thank you for the reminder. I'm very much a perfectionist.

Well, you could nominate yourself for a Pulitzer (anyone with a book can). I've seen some self-published book blurbs that note that the book has been nominated for a Pulitzer--and it always makes me laugh.

 

[SilenceDances]

it always makes me laugh.

You should nominate one of yours and have a giggle. Or you could write an erotic romance about a Pulitzer winner, and then nominate that.

 

[ImmanuelMal]

How do you delete your stories, though? I've never seen how to do that.

 

[_Lynn_]

How do you delete your stories, though? I've never seen how to do that.

Check the Lit FAQ page for instructions on editing and on removing stories.

 

[ImmanuelMal]

Thank you!