Old ideas/stories to leave them go or try again?

Jen

I wrote a story a while ago (years) and always thought the idea was good, I sent it to 'Writers' Forum' for critique and found that the idea I liked they liked but the story itself needed a lot of work. I spent ages re-writing it but never was happy and gave up. I have also tried to re-write another story I've written but I am never happy with that one.
So my question is do I leave these ideas go or try again? And if I try again do I completely change the story and keep the original idea? Or change the circumtances of the events around it ?

I did buy a book on re-writing but it focuses more on novels. If I can get this right for my short stories when I finally write and finish a novel (have two nanowrimo novels) then maybe I can re-write them without this same problem.

Thanks

Carol

I have the same problem with one particular short story, and it was first written 5 years ago.

Personally, if your idea worked but the rest needed a lot of work, then maybe that other bit wasn't right for that idea. Time away from a story is helpful in gaining perspective.

But only you know which will be right for you.

Mrs Bear

One of the difficulties of re-writing is that you can be tempted to stick to the same theme, even using some of the same phrases that you used before. What is it that you liked so much first time round? Does it hold up now, after all this time? Does the plot have a beginning, middle and end? Do the characters grow or learn anything? Is the story balanced?
Have another look at what the critique suggested (bearing in mind that opinions may differ), and see how that would change things.
It's hard to take an old idea and write something completely different based on it, because subconsciously you think you got it right first time and don't want to change it too much. Try playing with the characters or the setting, or both, the POV, the gender - there are all sorts of tricks to use. You can rewrite all the spontaneity out of a piece, which may be what you've found. In that case, put it away, and write something else entirely. It will still be there, when you are ready to try again.

snailmale

Coincidentally, I posted on here this morning that I'd had new ideas on my 10yr WIP novel. Joking aside, I had regretfully written this off because after two lengthy attempts it stalled at exactly the same point. Now, after some prompting from writing associates, I've come up with an entirely different beginning which will eventually connect with the existing text and suggest an ongoing story. Nothing is ever really wasted.

As for short stories, I've got a lot of embarrassing early stuff which I've recently revisited. One or two seemed based on reasonable ideas and have een the subject of savage editing, cutting by half in some cases, and te results have been quite pleasing. Don't be scared to chop the crap out so that the good stuff will show through.

Tristram_Shandy

The timing is apt, Jen. Yesterday, I started rewriting a story I did a couple of years ago, having seen a potential outlet for it online. And ran across another one I'd completely forgotten about, but couldn't find a suitable market previously.

Mrs Bear makes good points to consider.

It might not be just the idea you can salvage. You might want to retain some paragraphs, sentences, phrases -- an image or metaphor (although figurative language is usually what I end up cutting most, except where it really upholds the meaning of the work, which is the only time I think it should be used and if it fits the voice, too). Or, yes, you might just use the basic idea and dress it differently.

Last year, my first short story was published. I wrote that story in 2011. I always liked the idea -- most of it -- but didn't know where it fit in the market, and knew it needed work. Put it aside, but never forgot it. Saw a publication that might take it in early 2013, took another look and saw it in a new light. I changed the narrative voice, and it seemed to work for me.

So, no, I wouldn't throw any idea away. I keep everything. I've got so many stories that, currently, I don't think are very well written. Or ones that I stopped a few paragraphs in. But you never know when it -- or part of it -- might become useful.

I don't dwell on them, though. If you're thinking about them too much -- if it's too much effort -- the story isn't working. Move on. Write other stories. Explore fresh territory in ideas and narrative style and form. Only come back to those older works if they suddenly grab you again in the future, when you least expect it.

Phots Moll

If you liked the idea then and still like it now, it's likely to be an idea worthy of a story.

When you say you've rewritten, have you opened the document and made a few changes, or actually written a fresh new story based on the same idea?

casey

I agree with the others. If you like the idea it's probably a good one. Try combining it with another idea to make a different story. This has worked for me in the past. I never throw anything away. You may just have a good idea whose time has come.

Jen

"You can rewrite all the spontaneity out of a piece"- good advice and probably right. Thanks for the advice. When I meant re-write I've just gone back to it and changed dialogue and description, I havn't written a new story.
I like the idea of retaining paragraphs as there are some bits in these stories (two stories) that I wouldn't want to change.
I am thinking of writing new stuff and have an idea in process I'm just concerned that with all my giving up of stories I'll never have one I like or never finish the re-writing

ceka

Dear Jen,
If an idea is good, it's worth writing about and the rejected version still worth keeping for its kernel.
Never throw anything away.
Times change, fashions change - editors' wants and needs change. What didn't 'work' for an editor 5 years ago may well work for that same one now.
Never give up, persistence pays (in the end).
Last week I sold (at long bloody last!) the TENTH version of a story I first wrote when I started this lark in 2000. It was the eighth short story I'd ever written and I loved the idea and always regretted that it never had its day in the sun.
For interest (or not!) here's its track record:
it's had FOUR different titles and has been sent out to EIGHT separate markets (twice to one of them, three times to another) and as you saw, it's FOURTEEN years old
It sold to My Weekly under the title 'A Matter of Security' (not my favourite title but there it is).
Never give up, never throw anything away - and keep records of all your 'Ins and Outs' and also briefly also what the editor said, as rejection advice is among the most valuable you may ever receive

Jen

Thanks Ceka. Congratulations on finally selling the story and well done (hope that doesn't sound corny/cheesey) for all the effort. It definitely was worth it.
I've started re-writing both stories, ideas have come into my head so here we go

casey

Good luck Jen. Stick with it.

Lizy

Well done Jen - after taking that first step the ideas do seem to flow.

Stan2

.

Johnnywriter

I've actually just returned to writing after many years.

I recently found, during a loft clearance, a lot of my old notes/stories and have had a lot of fun reliving my old material. Whilst (in my opinion!) some of my old ideas were good, they were very raw and I'm now finding rewriting some of them with a wiser mind immensely enjoyable; they will be all the better for it too.

It's worth keeping hold of every scrap of material you write; you never know when you'll come back to it. We all change as we get older and I think our writing does too - what you might discount as 'not very good' now may scream at you in a few years.

Carol

Yes, I agree your writing does change and develop as the years go by, johnnywriter.

When I find my old stuff I'm either saying, that was awful- but obviously I didn't have the skill to see that at the time, or that wasn't bad, I might be able to develop that...

Tiny Nell

Absolutely. I love making old writing better!

The benefits of developing wisdom, eh?

snailmale

Rewriting a very old story for a comp right now. The thing is, why didn't I write it like this the first time?

ceka

Cos you were younger then ...

Betsie

Funny you should mention this topic: I had a story written a couple of years ago - it was rejected a couple of times by the women's mags. My local evening paper is now running a writing competition for short stories and this Saturday my story was published and nominated 'Short Story of the Week'. So I would say yes, you can regurgitate your old stories - just keep them 'tight'.

My advice is - consider the word Pleonasm
It means the redundant use of words. It may be deliberate but is usually involuntary. A common fault in much writing. For example: ‘In this day and age’, instead of ‘now, ‘today’ or ‘nowadays’. I.E. when in short story mode keep your writing 'tight'. If you can remove a word without the sentence falling over then you don't need that word.

Tiny Nell

Congratulations, Betsie!

(I kept it brief)