Rewrite early series part

[Altissimus]

I want to rewrite a part-1 of a series. It's more than just an edit, it's a story restructure. Can I replace the existing, keeping votes and comments (not that I'm particularly fussed to do so) or do I need to delete the original and start a-fresh? If the latter, can I just ask Laurel to do this at the point of submission of the replacement? I want the original gone - I don't want to post a 'redux'.

Anyone done this?

 

[ElectricBlue]

I want to rewrite a part-1 of a series. It's more than just an edit, it's a story restructure. Can I replace the existing, keeping votes and comments (not that I'm particularly fussed to do so) or do I need to delete the original and start a-fresh? If the latter, can I just ask Laurel to do this at the point of submission of the replacement? I want the original gone - I don't want to post a 'redux'.

Anyone done this?

That sounds way more than an edit, that sounds like a new version. Really, you should take it down, lose all the votes and scores, and start over. You're misleading readers, I think, and you're kidding yourself if you consider the old scores etc are relevant. But that's your call.

To delete a story, submit a story with exactly the same title plus the word DELETE. Add a note to the Editor and wait a week or two. Deletes get the same low priority as Edits. I'd wait till it's gone before you submit your new version.

If you want to keep the old score and comments, you'd do it as an EDIT. Same process, same wait time, but it's a redux.

The problem you have now is, you've been too honest by asking. You should have just done it, no-one would have known but yourself. Now you've given yourself an ethical dilemma!

 

[Altissimus]

That sounds way more than an edit, that sounds like a new version. Really, you should take it down, lose all the votes and scores, and start over. You're misleading readers, I think, and you're kidding yourself if you consider the old scores etc are relevant. But that's your call.

Er... I'm pretty sure I pre-emptively addressed all those points!! I specifically said it *was* more than an edit, and that I wasn't fussed about losing the votes and comments.

The problem you have now is, you've been too honest by asking. You should have just done it, no-one would have known but yourself. Now you've given yourself an ethical dilemma!

Not at all. There's no ethical dilemma. I'm quite clear in my intent. I'm asking how I go about it.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Er... I'm pretty sure I pre-emptively addressed all those points!! I specifically said it *was* more than an edit, and that I wasn't fussed about losing the votes and comments.

Not at all. There's no ethical dilemma. I'm quite clear in my intent. I'm asking how I go about it.

Okay, but you did say you'd like to keep votes and comments, so your mind's not quite made up?

It's up to you, though. An Edit will keep votes and comments, but you don't want a redux. A Delete won't be a redux, but you won't keep votes and comments. Pick one or the other.

An Edit is less work for the site, because all it needs to do is replace the content, and not bother with the rest. And on the assumption you've already got the later parts up already, the existing Series build won't be affected.

 

[Altissimus]

Okay, but you did say you'd like to keep votes and comments, so your mind's not quite made up?

No I didn't Now whose quoting right out of context?

...but you don't want a redux.

What I meant by this is I don't want to post another part-1, called "Part 1 Redux" or something and keep the original. This may be semantics; as I said, I am talking a significant rewrite, a story restructure.

And on the assumption you've already got the later parts up already, the existing Series build won't be affected.

Ok, so that's partly what I wanted to know. So if part one is deleted, and there's a gap before a new part one comes in, it won't totally screw it all up? I think it's one for Laurel to figure out.

I think I might just pose the question to her.

 

[ruddygore]

You can try what one writer in Sci/Fi did. He left the original up and posted the new version so now his works have Story A and story A Remastered.

 

[AchtungNight]

Ruleskirters! My latest FMC isn’t alone.

But yeah, post a new version. If you think it’s worth it. And don’t care about losing your comments and votes.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Ok, so that's partly what I wanted to know. So if part one is deleted, and there's a gap before a new part one comes in, it won't totally screw it all up? I think it's one for Laurel to figure out.

I think I might just pose the question to her.

Just do an Edit, is probably easiest for everyone. It's the least waste of Laurel's time.

Old readers aren't going to come back and read it, because they've already read it. New readers won't have read the old version, so won't know or care. The existing Series construct will still work, the story title will remain the same.

Seriously, you're the only person who will know what you've done. If you're worried, put a note up front of the revised version - but why bother? You're going to get a new bunch for readers, but with an Edit, you don't get more time on the Category Front Page. Any new readers will be finding it by going through your back catalogue.

This is also when I ask, why do so many writers futz with their old stories? Just write a new story, then you've got two. One might be a little flawed, but presumably the second will be better, because you've learned something from the first.

 

[Altissimus]

This is also when I ask, why do so many writers futz with their old stories? Just write a new story, then you've got two. One might be a little flawed, but presumably the second will be better, because you've learned something from the first.

This is a reasonable question, and usually I wouldn't worry. But the truth is I let the characters in the other chapters in this series take me in a direction I hadn't planned, and the first one didn't fit anymore.

 

[ElectricBlue]

This is a reasonable question, and usually I wouldn't worry. But the truth is I let the characters in the other chapters in this series take me in a direction I hadn't planned, and the first one didn't fit anymore.

Fair enough. Sounds like you got yourself a new Genesis .

 

[Britva415]

Can I replace the existing, keeping votes and comments (not that I'm particularly fussed to do so)

you did say you'd like to keep votes and comments

No I didn't Now whose quoting right out of context?

*shrugs*

 

[BobbyBrandt]

An "EDIT" will keep it as the same story, retaining votes comments and eligibility. A "DELETE" will make is a rewrite, deleting votes and comments and also making it ineligible for contests.

I suggest you consider whether the restructuring of the story changes it enough for it not to still be consider an "edit". Are the characters the same and the premise essentially the same? If the sex between two characters changes from a bed to the hood of a car, is that enough? It's your call, but think hard about it.