Comments on: MIND MELD: Reading, Writing and Revisions

By: Kisa

Kisa — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 22:51:32 +0000

This is an interesting concept. And honestly, I’m not sure where I stand on it. The one thing I noticed is that everyone is talking specifically about novels. What about short stories? Does that change the playing field?

Example, I have three short stories that I published a few years ago under my maiden name. It was through a small press, and while I’m eternally grateful they saw promise in my work, I’m also fairly certain the audience was small. Flash forward to now, and I want to republish them under my married name, and since I’ve grown dramatically as a writer since then, I find myself fighting the urge to update and tweak them. Is this one of those circumstances where it would be acceptable, maybe even recommended? Or is the same as with novels–once a version exists somewhere in the world, it’s best to leave it alone?

By: Hilary

Hilary — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:38:08 +0000

I think once a novel has gone to print it should then be left alone (Before that an author can change what ever they like). The only exception should be if plot lines were left out(for whatever reason)that were an integral part of the original plot.(Victorian England was not ready for some of the plot lines in The Count of Monte Cristo and was severely edited. In later editions this was rightfully rectified). The author like an artist should not mess around with their masterpiece once they feel it is complete.If the great artists had revisited their work how many would have been potentialy ruined. David could have ended up with vital parts missing.
Do what is needed then leave it be.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:46:59 +0000

I have no issue with postpub revisions. In addition to THE STAND, there is Heinlein’s A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND and Palahniuk has an interesting remix of INVISIBLE MONSTERS. Also, there are mistakes sometimes in novels (GUNSLINGER? Or wasn’t Mary Robinette Kowal’s latest missing the first line?).

As long as your name isn’t George Lucas, I’m okay with future revisions. I do question the value in pursuing such a project instead of working on the next novel, though.