Should You Edit/Revamp Published Chapters?

[KUUPID]

Hello there!

I am in need of advice... again...

I'm currently on a hiatus with one of my novels and as I keep writing, I'm starting to doubt my earlier published chapters. I honestly feel so lost. I've written up an outline for the direction of the story, I've created flow diagrams, revamped my character outlines... etc. I've practically done all I can to keep track of my story...

Yet, I find myself in a continuous loop of feeling like my story is going nowhere. I've even thought about scrapping it all and starting over... But I feel that that's just going to be even more exhausting and by then, I'll probably end up abandoning it, which I really don't want to do. I'm attached to this story. T^T

So, long story short, as creators/ authors, what do you do when you feel lost with your novel? Do you continue going with the direction it's already heading in, or do you revamp your whole series? Any advice would be very very helpful

[Manyana]

Hi, responding base on my own experience.

When you go to my account in Tapas, you'll see Talipandas and Talipandas (Old Version). Every author will come at a point where they think that their work is not enough and does not meet their expectations. Before posting the Old Version, I had multiple versions done and revamped. I had outlines removed and then put back again. Even now, I have chapters in the final version of my novel that come from the many versions of the book.

I got so paranoid and anxious about my work to the point that I currently have 2 worksheets and 1 powerpoint presentation about Talipandas. The worksheets are for the world building and everything else. The second worksheet is dedicated for each and every chapters - from who appeared personally and those who are only mentioned to what the characters wore. The presentation is for well, summary of everything. Aside from that, I also have a word document for another summary.

Anyways, revamping and re-editing is okay. Edit as long as you want. I read this really good story in Wattpad once and while reading, I got confused. Turned out the author was scrapping her original work and making another version of it, on the same link. Just imagine reading two different versions of a story. She did that three more times. And when her book got physically published, she revamped again. All the versions are good, and one of the versions stuck in me. But that version wasn't popular, so no wonder it got scrapped.

Long story short, don't be afraid to scrap and experiment. Create another version. Maybe you'll get your momentum and that newer version will make your work boost. But if you'll scrap and do another version, I advice you to make another novel link and don't do what that author did. It'll confuse the readers and you might lose readers.

[KUUPID]

Thank you for this T^T

I hadn't thought about making a new link to the novel I was planning on editing as I go on the original version while letting my subscribers know, but this is a great alternative! Thank you!

[N1ghtm4r3]

i don't know if this help but as i make my comic i am redoing some of my first simply to show off my art skills, and I have found that some ideas kind of sucked and am making newer and better ideas

[KUUPID]

@N1ghtm4r3 Ooh. How have your readers been responding to that? :o I'm still a bit on the fence if I should be editing published chapters

[MeltingCORE]

Editing/revamping is an important part of being a writer - so yes, it's normal to go over your work again and again! As for feeling lost, I personally have found it useful to create a story map. My series will have three main long arcs and within those arcs, the reader is introduced to the world/characters as the story moves along. However, if you end up revamping your work so much that it becomes something new repeatedly then I'd advise taking a break. That's definitely a sign of being lost. (Which isn't a bad thing but it means your brain needs rest lol.)

Also, don't let anyone make you feel like you're writing too little or too much. Go at your own pace, it's not a race. (And it's your story.)

[KUUPID]

I haven't tried making a story map yet... Maybe I'll try that out and see where it takes me!
Thank you for this advice! It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one who's been editing over and over again! It's great that everyone's been editing and re-editing their works! ^^

[Manyana]

New link isn't necessary. It's only necessary when the plot actually changes from the original one. Imagine reading a new found story in, for example, Wattpad; then when you get to chapter 30, you read an entirely different story that feels like an AU compared to what you've read in the previous chapters.

In my opinion, new series, should only be done if:
- the flow of the story/how things played out in the book will change.
- the old version feels like rough drafts and is going nowhere.
- the characters (be it personality or characteristics) will be changed entirely.

In my case, I felt that the older version of my novel is not a "novel" but a first draft.
In the case of what I read, everything changed from the flow of the story to the timelines and to the narration.

But if it's merely editing and proofreading, no need to confuse your fanbase. Just post a notif and it's okay. If there's no major plot change, go as you go.

[kmlangleyauthor]

I have some mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, absolutely yes. On the other hand... I think it depends on how you do it.

Personally, I have decided to wait until I’m finished posting my story before I go through and re-edit the entire thing. It will mostly be rewording, better sentence structure, etc., so I’m not too worried about a change to the storyline. However, if something comes up – like a “post something specific from your story” type of thread – and I see some obvious things that need edited, I’ll change them in my word doc as well as on Tapas.

I’m subbed to someone who decided to revamp their series (I think they realized a few plot holes and figured out what they needed to do to fix them which would also contribute to how the story played out/ended, if I’m recalling properly) and they have the chapters they’ve redone clearly marked (like “Chapter 3 REVAMPED”). It’s a great distinction for both new and returning readers so they’re aware of what they are getting into.

Also, if you’re not sure exactly how the story is going to go – it’s okay. And it’s also okay to take a break from posting when you need. These stories are our babies, but they also have inifinite possibilities. Which is amazing! But also super daunting. (I get hit with the FOMO vibes hard sometimes – because part of one version is really good! But it wouldn’t be a good long-term plan for the overarching storyline.) And you know what? You can write as many different versions of your story as you want. And if you just absolutely love these particular characters, you can make AUs forever with them (because when people love your characters, they want to read about them anywhere doing anything in any universe).

Tl;dr – unless you’re struggling with plot holes, maybe hold off on the revamping so you don’t get in the endless cycle of redoing it.

[N1ghtm4r3]

i havent posted them yet but will soon enough

[diamondactor]

I say yes. I had my artist ghost me, so I lost a lot of time and money. Found a new artist and took down all the old work. Now releasing the new stuff. If you want to check it out:

Comes out weekly on Saturday Mornings. Here is the tapas and webtoons. Whichever you prefer.

Full Moon King (FMK)

Full Moon King (FMK) | Tapas

[SilverLugia456]

I'm speaking from my own experience because that is exactly what I did with my novel The Pirate's Chronicle. When I first wrote it, it was for one of the novel contests on Tapas. Once the contest was over I looked back and realized that a lot of my beginning chapters were rushed and the pace wasn't where I liked it would be. I didn't develop the characters enough and such. So what I did was I went back over my first few chapters and did some editing and revising of my own to help myself out. I also started to create a character and episode guide in a separate word document so that I can follow my edits.

It really depends on if you want to go in a different direction than where you started and if there is something you wanted to change. Sometimes it takes a complete rewrite like what I needed to do with a few of my own chapters or if you just wanted to change small details like the set up or maybe how some of the characters are developed.

[KUUPID]

Ah, thanks for clarifying! ^^ Still unsure what I want to change so I've just been re-reading my chapters

[KUUPID]

Oh I see! Let me know when you post them! I'm curious what your readers would think of your edited episode/ pages!

[KUUPID]

@diamondactor tor Oh no... I'm so sorry that happened! I'm glad you were able to find a new artist though! I'll definitely check it out ^^

[KUUPID]

Thank you for your advice! I've definitely been looking through my old chapters to see where and what I want to change... ^^ Still a bit stuck, but I think I'm slowly figuring out what I don't and do like!

[Psychobott]

From someone who's currently reconstructing an incomplete 44-chapter story, I have mixed emotions about it. Revamping might make your chapters better, but it might also affect your motivation in continuing the story unless you get past the shadows of your old version.

You can push the previous version and used that as a future framework when you repolish your book (my old version was horrendous, but it actually showed me which parts were good and terrible). But if you feel like you are unhappy and are only being forced to do so, then you can start over again, use the progress you've made with the old version as an aid until you finish your story.

Don't give up.

[KUUPID]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I hope I can get through this and be satisfied with the end result!

[diamondactor]

I'm glad you're interested in my comic. The script is actually complete it's just getting it all drawn has been the issue. This series has been about 11 years in the making.