Should I Rewrite a "Failed" Story?

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

RetroFan's thread Your Literotica Successes & Failures in 2019 got me thinking about one of my stories that I regard as a failure. The score is actually respectable, but that's not why I think it failed.

It was a story I wrote for last year's "750 Word Project" event. I had two characters from a previous story with some leftover backstory elements I hadn't been able to squeeze in. I didn't have much of a story to tell, so I shoe-horned my leftovers down to 750 words and submitted it. And now I kind of feel like I've done those characters an injustice, like they deserved better than I gave them.

I'm thinking of withdrawing that story and rewriting it with as many words as it needs to be a story I can be proud of. But part of me thinks it's a cop out to remove my lowest scoring story—that it's just my ego wanting a do-over.

Anybody have any thoughts? Has anyone else removed a story that didn't do as well as you hoped?

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

 

[NotWise]

Anybody have any thoughts? Has anyone else removed a story that didn't do as well as you hoped?

It's possible that the only reason it's your lowest-rated story is that it's your shortest story. I think -- though it probably wasn't intentional -- that challenge was designed to produce low ratings. You have to balance things out for yourself. Are you going to get more satisfaction from expanding the story, or from using your time to move on?

For me, that decision is a struggle.

 

[SimonDoom]

Ask yourself this: If you rewrite it, and you are satisfied that it's much better than before, but after you submit it the score isn't much higher, will you feel like it was a waste of time? Or will you feel sufficiently satisified because YOU know it's a better story?

I wouldn't resubmit a story just to get a better score, if that's the primary motive, but everybody is different. I prefer to leave up stories that have deficiencies as a kind of record of my writing. I can see what I did wrong in the past and try to improve. I also like to move on to new projects. But, as I say, everyone is different.

 

[AlinaX]

Writing a story in 750 words is a specific challenge, and squeezing together leftovers probably will be a disservice to both the format and the characters.

But why remove the original? Why not have both, and people can compare them if they wish.

 

[HeyAll]

I've done this with several of my old stories from 2012-2015, where I took it down then did a lot of revisions.

If they were still good and I still liked them, I just submit an edit to fix minor grammar issues.

 

[KeithD]

If the story is bugging you and you have thoughts on how a rewrite would make it stop bugging you, sure, go ahead and rewrite it.

No, I haven't withdrawn anything here to rewrite it.

 

[Voboy]

No.

“Published,” to me, means it belongs to the public now. Once it’s out there, it’s done.

But I’m biased. I HATE what that George Lucas fucker did to my 1977 Star Wars back in 1997. Hate it. It was his “ego wanting a do-over.” There comes a point where it’s done and the creator needs to stop meddling. If “publication” isn’t that point, then when is it?

 

[ElectricBlue]

No.

Give them the full story they deserve. Shoe-horning a story into a shoe box just to see if it will fit is still just a story in a shoe box. Write them the whole house, the whole street, the whole town.

This is the same as your artificial constraint when you tried to fit that early story into a word limit. Once that shackle was taken off, look what happened.

Write another story and leave the experiment up - because that's what it was, a writer's challenge. Don't futz with it, write a new piece.

 

[yukonnights]

I tend to agree in regard to the 750 word concept. It was much more understood and respected as a challenge by other writers than it was by the reading audience. I actually really liked mine. It's my one and only incest attempt and even though it's not "hot" in ratings, I feel it captures my intended message.

As to the OP question; I'll chime in with those who advise doing what your gut (heart) tells you. This entire circus act here is for our own edification, growth and enjoyment.

 

[KyraSaden]

I'm thinking of withdrawing that story and rewriting it with as many words as it needs to be a story I can be proud of. But part of me thinks it's a cop out to remove my lowest scoring story—that it's just my ego wanting a do-over.

If your ego wants a do-over, then I say give your ego the do-over. There is something to be said about being so obsessed with past stories that you end up trappng yourself in perpetual "But it could be better!" limbo, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. If you don't feel like the ending (probably the most important part of a story, IMHO) of your series was given due justice because you were trying to force it into 750 words, why not go back and fix it?

No.

“Published,” to me, means it belongs to the public now. Once it’s out there, it’s done.

But I’m biased. I HATE what that George Lucas fucker did to my 1977 Star Wars back in 1997. Hate it. It was his “ego wanting a do-over.” There comes a point where it’s done and the creator needs to stop meddling. If “publication” isn’t that point, then when is it?

OMG, yasss!!! That "special edition" bullshit drove me nuts, too.

And yet, I think there is difference between what George Lucas did and what the OP is considering doing. George Lucas had a whole production team to look over each Star Wars film before it was released and a massive fanbase that had fallen in love with the original because of stuff like, "Han shot first!" If your work has already been gone over multiple times by an entire production team of professionals and you already have a huge fanbase, it's a disservice to them both to try and re-write what you've already established as canon. But a Lit writer reposting a flop from a contest? I think that's a lot more reasonable.

 

[Blind_Justice]

Writing a story in 750 words is a specific challenge, and squeezing together leftovers probably will be a disservice to both the format and the characters.

But why remove the original? Why not have both, and people can compare them if they wish.

I second this. I'm thinking about rewriting one of mine as well ("The Faceless Executioner"), even though it's not a 750 worder. I like the concept, plot and characters, but the execution and lack of proper set up leaves much to be desired. Should I find the time, I'll put the rewrite up as a new story with a short note explaining why that thing is here and let the audience decide which they like better.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Writing a story in 750 words is a specific challenge, and squeezing together leftovers probably will be a disservice to both the format and the characters.

But why remove the original? Why not have both, and people can compare them if they wish.

Bingo. I agree with the other comments here, but Alina has nailed it, I think.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I agree with KeithD; if it’s bugging you re-write it. But that being said, I read it during the 750-word event and re-read it just now and enjoyed it again.

 

[Voboy]

And yet, I think there is difference between what George Lucas did and what the OP is considering doing. George Lucas had a whole production team to look over each Star Wars film before it was released and a massive fanbase that had fallen in love with the original because of stuff like, "Han shot first!" If your work has already been gone over multiple times by an entire production team of professionals and you already have a huge fanbase, it's a disservice to them both to try and re-write what you've already established as canon. But a Lit writer reposting a flop from a contest? I think that's a lot more reasonable.

I definitely see the difference there, but the question remains: when is a work actually "finished?" Where is that line drawn?

Pre-publication, a work belongs to the creator. After? Doesn't it belong to the world? The difference between us and Lucas is just one of degrees and budget. Creating is creating, publishing is publishing. Perhaps this is more a philosophical question than a practical one, so I understand if it's not helpful to the OP. But I don't feel I can answer without bringing it up.

There could perhaps be legit reasons to do this. I don't think "ego" is one of them.

 

[mynameisben]

One of my favorite authors, Ray Bradbury, once wrote a novella called The Fireman and published it. He was dissatisfied with it, though, thinking he had a much bigger story to tell and he wanted to tell it right. So, he rewrote it! Doubling in size to a full-fledged novel, he renamed his rewrite Fahrenheit 451, which went on to become his greatest accomplishment as an author and a beloved and enduring classic.

 

[KeithD]

Pre-publication, a work belongs to the creator. After? Doesn't it belong to the world?

It's still owned by the creator unless the creator assigned "ownership" to someone else. What you're really asking, I think, is whether it's still controlled by the creator. Theoretically yes. But in reality, when it's been published to the Internet, no. But I don't see the connection of that question to whether or not versions of the story can exist in the publishing world. Yes, they can, I have versions of stories posted here, elsewhere on the Internet, and to the marketplace that aren't identical--they've been tailored to the specific audience. They exist. They still belong to me, but that doesn't seem related to the discussion here. They exist.

One issue, though, is whether Laurel will permit two variations to exist on Literotica. Maybe not, especially if there is little difference between them. I have two versions of a "Silas's Choice" story posted here under the sr71plt account. I can't remember why it was important to me to retain the original when submitting the expanded version, but Laurel originally rejected the expanded version and then said she'd accept the expanded version but delete the original. Eventually, she allowed both, but not until after discussion. She initially wasn't going to let two versions of the same story exist in the file. So, there may be trouble in doing that here.

 

[yukonnights]

...One issue, though, is whether Laurel will permit two variations to exist on Literotica. Maybe not, especially if there is little difference between them. I have two versions of a "Silas's Choice" story posted here under the sr71plt account. I can't remember why it was important to me to retain the original when submitting the expanded version, but Laurel originally rejected the expanded version and then said she'd accept the expanded version but delete the original. Eventually, she allowed both, but not until after discussion. She initially wasn't going to let two versions of the same story exist in the file. So, there may be trouble in doing that here.

Couldn't that be resolved by doing it as an edit of the existing story? Or as LoquiSordidaAdMe said, withdraw (delete) the original?

I've toyed with this same question. In my case it goes back to my very first story submission in (?) 2007. My justification is not so much that the story needs to be re-written, but more to the fact it was the first part of a second one with a different title that picked up on the same characters. (my inexperience at the time) It's also because of my naivety in regard to LW and that the second part is in a totally different category. The first one is in the wrong home at LW — an unloving home It seems justified and reasonable — the second part has always been well received and by updating to bring the two together would probably entertain a lot of new appreciative readers...but I've just not felt the motivation to move on it. So, I can see some value in folks doing something like this.

 

[KeithD]

Couldn't that be resolved by doing it as an edit of the existing story? Or as LoquiSordidaAdMe said, withdraw (delete) the original?

That doesn't result in two different versions of the story present in the Literotica file.

 

[yukonnights]

That doesn't result in two different versions of the story present in the Literotica file.

I was thinking the OP was intending to remove the original, rework it and post it back under the same title. (Which would be another way to do whatever needs to be done — in that situation seems an edit would be easier.) But you're certainly correct, if it's not an edit then there would be two and that would not be very helpful for anyone. (except in the rare situation, such as you worked through)

 

[KeithD]

I was thinking the OP was intending to remove the original, rework it and post it back under the same title. (Which would be another way to do whatever needs to be done — in that situation seems an edit would be easier.) But you're certainly correct, if it's not an edit then there would be two and that would not be very helpful for anyone. (except in the rare situation, such as you worked through)

Post #8 suggested leaving both versions up. I was indicating why trying that might be a problem at Literotica.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

Thank you all. There are compelling arguments on both sides, and while I'm no closer to a decision, at least I feel justified in whichever way I decide to go.

I think that for now I'm going to work on other projects and see just how much of my attention the rewrite claims. If it's one of those stories that demands to be written and won't let me concentrate on anything else, then I'll write it. If not, we'll see if I get around to it someday. And when/if it's written, I'll see how similar it is to the original and I'll decide then if there is room for both versions to co-exist.

I appreciate all of the thoughtful input.

 

[KyraSaden]

I definitely see the difference there, but the question remains: when is a work actually "finished?" Where is that line drawn?

Pre-publication, a work belongs to the creator. After? Doesn't it belong to the world? The difference between us and Lucas is just one of degrees and budget. Creating is creating, publishing is publishing. Perhaps this is more a philosophical question than a practical one, so I understand if it's not helpful to the OP. But I don't feel I can answer without bringing it up.

I think this is a very valid perspective and one I largely agree with, but I'd also argue that the "ethics" of re-writing a previously published story are somewhat dependent upon the scope of the fanbase. In other words, the larger/more invested the fanbase, the more dickish it is to alter your original story. Ideally, authors should probably avoid re-writing published works, but I think it's generally more acceptable in some cases than in others.

 

[Hypoxia]

Is the story finished? Done? Then write another. Or not. It's up to you. Write what you will. Or don't. Anything you post here is for your own satisfaction. Are you satisfied? If so, then stop. If not, write more.