Welcome all, to another monthly round up of writers hopping about from blog to blog! Also known as the Insecure Writers Support Group blog day! Join us! http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Today there was a question proposed of digging out really old work and what did you do with it. Well, I have been writing a VERY long time, so I have a lot of old work lingering about.
My very first book will never see the light of day (seriously- don't even know where it is) but over the years I have stolen names and characters from it for other books.
However, a not quite as old book has definitely made a splash. Warrior Wench was written over six years ago folks. I had planned to publish it after The Lost Ancients series finished, but got it out there earlier. It's done very well in sales and professional and fan reviews. I'm not saying that to brag--I still am nowhere near quitting my day job, but just to point out that you should never give up on a work you've done.
Find your older pieces--can they be buffed up and put out as they are with some editing and spit shine? Or should you rip the pieces apart and pick out elements for other work?
Nothing should ever be wasted :).
Happy IWSG DAY!
I'm currently composing query letters for a work I started 8 years ago. I had to spruce the story up. Take into account changes in technology but the overall story was sound. You're right, Marie. Just because it's old doesn't mean it isn't worth another look.
ReplyDelete'Nothing should be wasted,' is a great motto. And I like the idea of pulling sections from a long lost work to use today. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I ended up stealing characters from one abandoned story and twisted it into a short story from a different POV. It made it into an anthology so I call it a win. :)
ReplyDeleteMy very first novel is something I'm considering reworking into a completely different work. My second novel is something I would never let see the light of day. It was awful. But you are right, it might be something I can cannibalize. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to here your books are doing well. Once I finally get around to finishing my book, I'll come back and ask you what you did to promote your book. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been at this long enough to have older pieces collecting dust. I do have plenty of ideas that I started, have maybe a chapter or two done, so guess those could be 'old'. Happy to hear your book is doing well.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, I have a manuscript that I will never allow to see the light of day. But I learned a lot about the process while writing it, both in terms of just putting words on the page, and in letting it sit for revision. In this instance, best just to move along!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I even save scenes I've deleted, just in case I can repurpose it later.
ReplyDeleteI also have a first project that will never see publication; but it was the first. A much later project, which I call my second first writing, has taken a lot of writing abuse, changing with every thing I learn about writing craft, and discovering my genre niche. And I've resurrected many story starts that have been abandoned.
ReplyDeleteIsn't writing fun :)