Today, I'm at writing conference cruise in the Caribbean.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!
Simple answer for me: Yes! Since I link my series and have connections between characters, I've found it very useful to listen to the books again. Fortunately, I've invested from the very beginning in audiobooks, so it's easy. And it's been so useful because there's a lot I've forgotten.
And I've rewritten a few because I've grown as an author. Contrary to what they tell you, I sold my first book to a publisher, and they had me cut out some scenes from the shipwrecked middle. But there were reviews wishing I'd shown some of that removed stuff, so when I got my rights back, I tweaked the book to reflect how I'd grown as a writer and added them back in.
I've also expanded a couple of novellas into full-length novels.
What about you?
Do you find it cringe when you read your earlier works?
I would cringe. I'd rather not know.
ReplyDeleteCool that you were able to add in those scenes. Bet the fans appreciated it.
I hope so! I definitely like it better. lol
Deleteit's cool that you were able to re-add in scenes that were taken out of your earliest works when they were published traditionally.
ReplyDeleteThe hard part was being patient until that other contract was completed.
DeleteI LOVE that you put the scenes back in. Publishers are great but they don't always have perfect intuition.
ReplyDeleteThey kept saying it wasn't a survival romance, but it really was. lol
DeleteThe writer knows his/her own story best. I'm glad you put those scenes back in, Donna.
ReplyDeleteMe too! <3
DeleteIt's awesome you put them back in. Give the readers what they want!
ReplyDeleteThat was my thought too!
DeleteBravo, Donna! Way to go! First for investing in audio editions of your series. And second, for adding back that which the readers want to know, once you received your rights back. We all grow as we continue to write and create stories. Again, well done!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I wouldn't want to look back on my older writing and find it the same as when I wrote it.
DeleteThat is so cool that you were able to add back in those scenes! Also, readers really do know what they like and often what works best for a story.
ReplyDeleteAnd one of the scenes was really exciting! lol
DeleteThe beauty of doing it yourself is having the power to do those kind of changes!
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly that. And doing it right away if you need to.
DeleteI don't cringe when reading my earlier works, unless they've been published, lol. I like editing and rewriting.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I just vomit words for my first draft. For me, editing is when the real writing happens.
Delete