discussion - thoughts on re-writing

[salixbabylon]

So recently I've had an old obsession revive - HP. And I have a WIP that I'd actually kind of like to finish, maybe. At least make a stab at it and see if it's something I'm still interested in.

BUT

The first part of it is the first slash I ever write, the first *fiction* of any real length I ever wrote, and it kind of makes me cringe to even think about reading it. So I'm debating whether I should re-write that one first.

So I can't decide what to do. On one hand, it's where I started, of course I've grown since then, everyone's first thing is awkward, there's no shame is just starting out, it shows me how much I've grown, etc etc etc.

On the other hand... it's painfully embarrassing.


Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions/personal anecdotes/experiences to share/etc?

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_regina/]

Bah. It's your story, rewrite it if you want to. I don't see anything wrong with taking the crappy fic out of the internet and replacing it with good. (That said, I'm sure it's not as bad as you think.) If you think it's worth rewriting, then go for it.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I suppose the first step is to force myself to re-read it and to try to pretend it's by somebody else. And then decide if I would tell *them* to fix it or just let it go.

Why is it so difficult to be objective about one's own work? :P

Thanks for your thoughts!

[andolinn.livejournal.com]

Well, if you want the two parts to read together you probably need to rewrite the first part. On the other hand you could let the two parts stand as 'before' and 'after' as sort of a milepost of your improved abilities. Yes, I know - I'm not much help.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Hehehehe. Yet another reason to leave it alone.

I guess I either need to read it or have someone I trust to be honest (but still kind) tell me their honest opinion. ;)

[lozateazer.livejournal.com]

I kind of like leaving my old crappy stuff old and crappy. That way, as the years pass, I can go back and look at it and see how I've grown. However, for the other people who read it (What? People read my stuff? *looks around in shock*) I don't know. It's funny, I've always gotten the best reviews for my crappiest fics. Then again, considering the fandom I was writing in, I'm not all that surprised.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I've been satisfied to leave it as-is for the last ... 4(?) years. But since I'm considering a sequel and more people might be reading it... I'm getting self-conscious, I guess.

So what was your first fandom? ;)

[lozateazer.livejournal.com]

My first fandom was the musical RENT. My pairing was Mark Cohen and Roger Davis, respectivly a dorky filmmaker (see icon) and an HIV positive rock musician. The fandom itself is very much teenaged girls, which is awful, so I guess even my crappy writing stood out as the better of them.

[soar38.livejournal.com]

I know other writers who go back and rewrite something that initially wrote and outgrew a few years ago. It's not always a bad thing, and it gives you a chance to work some of your new knowledge on an idea that made you want to write.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

That's true... I just *hate* rewriting in general. I don't know. I think I need an outside opinion...

[soar38.livejournal.com]

Did you decide on anything?

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Does deciding to write other things instead count? :)

No?

Then no. :P

I think I need to find someone objective and honest to read it for me. Or just let go and move forward with the other project, since I wouldn't be changing any plot points, just some lyric-inspired angstyness.

[soar38.livejournal.com]

You can always just leave as something to do when you need a break from other projects, something that will just bring you satisfaction.