March 01, 2017

Reworking an Old Story


MARCH QUESTION: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

I certainly have. I've shared this story before, but I'll do it again. :) When I was twelve, I started writing a book that flourished into a series. At the age of seventeen, I had reached Book 4 when writer's block hit and hit me hard. I didn't write for months. I felt a total disconnect from my characters and my plot. It took me a long time to realize why...it was because I had matured, and so did my characters, but I wanted them to be older than when they started. So, I set about rewriting the entire series from Book 1. 

For years, I slaved over these stories, and I have finished all 4 books. But I was never completely satisfied with the first book. I kept tweaking it, redoing the beginning, editing it and editing it. It wasn't until 2015 when I asked for beta readers to read the first 3 chapters and the wonderful Yolanda Renee helped me to whip the book into shape. I love it now! 

I actively sought representation last year and only received rejections, but I'm not going to give up on it. I do have to rework Book 2 to fit the changes, and I still have to revise/edit the final two books, and I will...when it's time. :)


OPTIONAL APRIL QUESTION: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?

Reminder: The questions are optional and meant as a prompt if you struggle with what to post. You don't have to answer a question if you don't want to. :)


77 comments:

  1. I love your persistence in reworking your stories and not giving up. Sounds like Yolanda was a wonderful support to you in getting to this point. Yay for beta readers :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is super fun to rework old stories and plots that didn't work the first time around. It shows how resourceful we are!

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW, I wasn't expecting that! Thanks, Chrys! It was a real pleasure reading your work and I've no doubt that you'll achieve your goals!
    Old ideas can always be tweaked and become new stories/books!
    Every author should have such a store house!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You deserve a big thanks, Yolanda. I hope I've expressed my gratitude. :)

      Delete
  4. Wow. What a wonderful story. I wish I had some of the things I wrote when I was twelve, but the tropics ate just about everything. I hope your series sees print!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Have to keep on keeping on indeed. That will get the job done. Old ideas can ring true when it is their time too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. IWSG is certainly growing leaps and bounds. I hope the Twitter Pitch Party is a success. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just keep working on it and don't give up.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What happened to your festive site? I'm missing it already. :-(

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
  9. Keep at it Chrys persistance pays off.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Keep submitting. You just haven't hit the right publisher.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Keep on pushing forward. You can do it! And what wonderful stuff coming from the IWSG.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Chrys, I love your perseverance and your dedication to your stories. I wish I had that habit, sometimes I feel I give up too fast!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't help but feel strongly for this book/series.

      Delete
  13. Hi Chrys - I echo Rachna's comment ... and it's definitely keeping on - IWSG really helps ... and the A-Z is a definitely plus for anyone wanting to get their story written. Cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love it when beta readers and/or critique partners can help us whip a stubborn story into shape. They're so valuable to any writer.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I hope something happens with this book because I want to read it (yes, I know I know nothing about it, but =P!)

    ReplyDelete
  16. It is interesting how our characters mature because we do too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, you started at 12? That's impressive. The things I wrote back then were definitely not books. Or good. At all. I prefer to focus on all the new ideas I have now, rather than trying to salvage what I wrote in the past. I do envy those who can, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually want to rewrite that old series again, but this time keeping the story and changing the characters.

      Delete
  18. Impressed by your determination. Chrys. I'm about to do my IWSG post as very behind...hope I catch up by A to Z. Tend to use A to Z to develop ideas for the current project, rather than promotion. However, maybe I will get organised to promote current project in the Twitter Party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you can catch up and join the pitch party!

      Delete
  19. Almost all of my characters were written into existence when I was very young. I never saw the point of abandoning them just because I'd gotten older. Sure I don't write them the same way anymore, but that only makes them stronger and better. It's not like I thought, "Well, I'm 18/21/whatever now, time to grow up and laugh about those characters I created as a child and preteen. Adults only write about characters they created as adults."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't dump my characters. I loved them too much.

      Delete
  20. How great that Yolanda was able to help you out! Congrats to you and her.

    I think the TwitterPitch Party's going to be a smash hit!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yes yes yes. Some stories we are not ready to write well. That doesn't mean the ideas are bad or weak.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow, on writing those 4 books. You are amazing. I hope you find the representation you are looking for for your projects. I rewrote my first book over and over too. Luckily after I got a professional editor, I could publish it in 2015.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Murees! My book is pretty different, so I'm having a hard time getting someone to take a chance on it.

      Delete
  23. You were writing way back then? Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Have I ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Yes, but then my computer crashed (no joke) and poof the new story was gone. It was about a kid meeting his idol Elvis Presley minus the bling and the fans.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Glad to hear you're persistent! It will pay off someday (hopefully soon!).
    I'd love to take part in the Twitter Pitch but I highly doubt I'll have a polished manuscript by then. And I may have genre issues. Oh well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We hope to do the pitch party again. So never fear. You'll have a chance when you're ready. :)

      Delete
  26. =) That's when I completed my first book too...but that one will NEVER be revised and NEVER see the light of day. It was just for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine started out to be just for me. Then I got the dream to publish it. :)

      Delete
  27. You were way ahead of me Chrys. I was writing as a teen, but I never finished my manuscripts. I was about half way in and then summer hit, and I got busy with work. Sigh. I might revisit it some day. A to Z challenge is too much blogging for me. I'm already dying with one a week...lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did the A to Z twice and enjoyed it but now I have no time. I'd rather take the month of April off of blogging, which is what I'm doing. ;)

      Delete
  28. As my stories are often memoirs or based on memoirs, I used to think once I wrote it, that was it. But I have changed. I have read almost all of Edward Abbey's writings and learned from him that one can take the same story and rebuild it into a new story with a new emphasis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true. I've used parts of my life and reworked them into different stories.

      Delete
  29. A 12 year old mind really isn't all that dumb and can come up with good stories. The maturity and experience of writing can put the polish on that story. You were wise to retain that old story and re-work it. Persistence is the key to success.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes and I still have them too. Another, different rewrite might be in order for the future.

      Delete
  30. Your perseverance definitely paid off. Good luck with the other books of the series.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I wish had the stuff I wrote from about age 9 to 26, but we lost our home in a flood and all the stories with it. They all were hand written at that time.

    Wishing you much success always,
    Happy IWSG Belated Day!
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

    ReplyDelete
  32. It sounds like you had a lot of creativity as a youngster! I started writing around 14 too, so I know the feeling. Although I wasn't as prolific as you were!

    To answer your questions, I don't realy use A to Z to advertize my book, but rather to get my blog out there. People will hopefully like what I post and that'll get me closer to my target audience!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Using the A to Z to advertise your blog is a great idea, the best way to get your blog out there and seen.

      Delete
  33. The A to Z challenge never fails to provide inspiration for stories - past and present. I never thought of using it to advertise.
    Your wondrous writing journey isn't over until you say it is. You've already proven you can, so enjoy the scenery till you get there (again) ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been taking a break lately, but I know my writing journey isn't over. :)

      Delete
  34. That's awesome that you were able to take something you wrote as a teenager to rewrite. I hope you can find a home for it :) I wish I would have been more persistent with my writing when I was a teen. I only managed to write short stories or essays with about 3 pages at the most.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I agree with reworking on old stories because it grows as we grow. Change is good.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Definitely don't give up on it. If you've stuck with it this long, it's a keeper.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I think that is why my first novel (or novella) will always be in a keepsake box: cuz I matured out of the childish writing. Unlike some adult authors, I've never been able to recapture that teenaged mentality and and edit it into readable material. Its just been too many years from the naive writing to a time I seriously wanted to write for publication.

    I don't know, maybe this first writing is around to remind me of innocence. Something I haven't been for a long long time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The teenage mentality is a hard one to keep or recapture. I struggle with it, too.

      Delete
  38. I will say it again..if I ever write a book, your blog will be what inspired it :)

    I wish you a wonderful weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! That's a wonderful compliment. Now I'm seeking hoping you'll start writing. ;)

      Delete
  39. Congrats on finishing your book! And don't give up on representation. It'll happen...it just takes time.

    ReplyDelete