How far would you go?

[RogueLurker]

If you had written a story for Lit that you were quite pleased with and had recieved a fair amount of praise - would you be willing to cannibalize it for another, potentially published story?

I've often wondered if the original would find a market that it could sell in, but there's an opportunity for me to change it (not drastically, but to expand and alter some of the premise) to align with an editors' call for submission. The changes intrigue me and I think it will make a very interesting, if different, story.

Has anyone else run into this quandry? I love the story as it is, but I'm wondering if the changes I'm thinking of will make it better.

 

[rgraham666]

I've had to do it.

I don't have a problem with it if it improves the story.

 

[R. Richard]

What Rob siad.

 

[RogueLurker]

I've had to do it.

I don't have a problem with it if it improves the story.

There's the problem ... I liked the orginal quite a lot.

 

[JamesSD]

Speaking in generalities, I doubt I'd have a problem with it.

You don't seem to think that the likely changes would drastically alter the story, so why not?

 

[DeeZire]

You always have the original version, so it doesn't matter what happens with the new version.

 

[RogueLurker]

You always have the original version, so it doesn't matter what happens with the new version.

ah ... but I can only publish one.

I think I'll finish the rewrite and see how it turns out - the first version to print is the winner.

 

[DeeZire]

ah ... but I can only publish one.

It sounded like the first version was unpublishable. If it is a contender, you do have an ethical delimma. Hopefully, you can set the rewrite aside for a while before you make your decision, since it's going to read differently when you look at it with fresh eyes.