Should I Edit the Text of my Completed Story Arc?

Metior_Ice

I finished my first story arc, and I have plans to go back and revisit older chapters to reformat them so that text aligns with their corresponding pictures.

Since I will be editing older chapters for the purpose of making things easier to read, I was wondering if I should edit the text too.

For those that have been following the discussion in my “What are your Merfolk doing today thread?” I ended up sharing a ton of Merfolk Lore. While sharing that lore, I feel like I also ended up refining the lore for my own story.

Depending on the poll results, I will move forward based on what I think is best for my story.

If I edit the text, one of the things I’m debating on will be adding to the story so that older chapters can add something new for those that choose to reread the older chapters.

I’m also aware that some readers don’t want to go back and reread what they already read. I do want to hear your thoughts on that too.

However, since this poll involves editing simlit, I was hoping to get feedback from both simlit writers and simlit readers. I want to know what you think about going back and editing the text of simlit after it was posted.

Format The Chapters Only

For this option, it’s pretty simple. I’m just going to arrange the pictures to align with the text. I found a style that works for me, and I’m going to do technical edits to make sure all the chapters share that same style.

Format the Chapters and Edit the Text

This option will be for anyone that thinks it’s worth going back to a finished story arc and do a quick grammar check while editing the chapter. This kind of edit won’t change the meaning of the text, but the spelling/ grammar check should make what is said easier to read and understand.

Format the Chapter and Add Depth to the Text

This would involve a bit more than just rearranging pictures. This is the option to select if you want to reread older chapters and have something new added to the story. For a writer, you might’ve thought of something after the fact and want to add it to the story. The idea of adding depth should not be confused with completely changing the story being told. The idea is to just revisit the weaker parts of the story and give them something extra that enhances the chapter and adds something new for people rereading the chapter.

Format the Chapters and Add to the Text

This is just a scaled down version of the previous option, and it’s more of a situation where text is added if, and only if, it is absolutely something that is needed.

While I kind of expanded on the poll options others might have a different interpretation of the poll option they select. Feel free to explain that in the discussion.

The most important part of this poll is to help simlit writers and readers come together and find whatever helps writers write better and readers enjoy what is written.

luciusstorm

Format the Chapters Only

I'd leave the text alone, warts and all... but, for me, that's one of the joys and challenges of simlit. It's serialized fiction. Once we put a chapter out there, we've committed to it. We can retcon stuff in future chapters but going back... well, for me it would open the temptation to forever revise and never move ahead.

Perfect is the enemy of good.

HavenRose

Format the Chapters and Edit the Text

If you’re going through it anyway, a bit of polish wouldn’t hurt if it’s the sort of thing you’d be bothered by seeing now. If you do end up deciding to add to the text, maybe you could do a quick recap of the updates for current readers? Just something to give the extra context without reading all through it again. It would be a bit more work, but if you really want to work in new lore, that could be a compromise.

musteni

Format the Chapters and Add Depth to the Text

I'm unsure how long ago you have posted these chapters? For example I have some simlit from 2015 that I wouldn't consider editing, but if it's something you posted last year or this year and still feel connected to I'd say go for it. But only if it's something you enjoy, no need to stress over it

haneul

Format the Chapters and Edit the Text

I think doing heavy edits to past chapters could be confusing and make it hard for readers to keep things straight (as well as take a long time for you), but minor edits should be no problem for anyone. I don't think it really matters what you choose, though, just do what you think is best.

Metior_Ice

Format the Chapters and Add to the Text

@luciusstorm I think the biggest risk that comes with editing text is going into a never ending cycle of trying to make things perfect. So, it would definitely be something I would need to try and avoid.

@HavenRose I did a ton of grammar checks that I found after sharing a chapter, but it’s possible that I didn’t catch everything. So, this might be worth doing for the reasons you mentioned.

@musteni I like your suggestion. If I add anything to the older chapters from the first story arc, I could always share a short author’s note stating what was added. This Story Arc was started during the beginning of this year and ended a month or two ago. So, it’s not like I’m going back to anything that was five years old.

@haneul I appreciate the feedback! And you might be right, heavy edits could get really confusing.

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I have a couple chapters that I feel could have been better, and those chapters didn’t turn out as well because of things happening while they were written.

I’m starting to lean towards the possibility of adding text if it’s absolutely necessary. Otherwise, I might stick to format edits only.

I’m still looking forward to more feedback, and I won’t be making the edits until Saturday anyways.

Metior_Ice

Format the Chapters and Add to the Text

I went ahead and voted where I’m leaning towards, but I might change my mind.

Edit: This also makes it easier for me to see the votes.

GalacticGal

Format the Chapters and Edit the Text

As the author, you are entitled to revise your work as you please. Sounds as if you would be happier if you did. I know how I get. Like a bear with a thorn in my paw, grumpier than all get out.

Metior_Ice

Format the Chapters and Add to the Text

@GalacticGal Thank you so much for the feedback. I finished the formatting and did some grammar checks. Any edits that were done to the text should have little to no effect on the actual story.

The only thing that was a tiny change with a potentially big impact on the story is Damion admitting to Caleb that he can't undo what has been done. But, in all honesty, that's kind of what it said before reformatting.

After looking through the chapters, I ended up deciding to keep most of the text unchanged.

GalacticGal

Format the Chapters and Edit the Text

Metior_Ice wrote: »

@GalacticGal Thank you so much for the feedback. I finished the formatting and did some grammar checks. Any edits that were done to the text should have little to no effect on the actual story.

The only thing that was a tiny change with a potentially big impact on the story is Damion admitting to Caleb that he can't undo what has been done. But, in all honesty, that's kind of what it said before reformatting.

After looking through the chapters, I ended up deciding to keep most of the text unchanged.

That feeling of satisfaction is a good one, no? The fact you found you didn't really need to add so much shows you you're on the correct trajectory for the story. Happy for you.

Metior_Ice

Format the Chapters and Add to the Text

@GalacticGal It does feel good that I didn't feel the need to change much.

I finished writing the draft of my first chapter of the second story arc. I think it's coming together nicely, but I want to step away and look over the chapter refreshed. All that writing is not easy. I'm hoping to use the SimLit to develop stronger writing habits.

Metior_Ice

Format the Chapters and Add to the Text

I should amend what I said, I think I only have like a third of that chapter finished. I’m still debating on whether or not I’ll be dividing my screenshots up across multiple chapters or not.

I think the feedback in this poll can also be helpful when editing the drafts I’m about to share too.