I decided to leave the old stories as they are, even though there's one, a favorite, I itch to edit/rewrite because there are some outdated facts that I'd like to update. It's not about style but science, hm. Maybe one day.

2 hours ago, Aditus said:

I decided to leave the old stories as they are, even though there's one, a favorite, I itch to edit/rewrite because there are some outdated facts that I'd like to update. It's not about style but science, hm. Maybe one day.

Yes! I started down that path with one particular book but didn't get very far before I realized it was a far bigger job than I realized. Vernacular, technology, world events... they all played a part in what was happening in the story even though they were in the periphery. That alone was enough to deter me in the end. 

It wasn't as polished a piece as I would have liked, but it did reflect my experience at the time. It's not as though we can immortalize our writing evolution in a picture or a video, so maybe it's for the best older works stay as they are. 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 

I've always gone back to re-edit things I thought were edited well. Then, I realized it notified everyone with every edit I did. So, I've since stopped. 

8 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

I've always gone back to re-edit things I thought were edited well. Then, I realized it notified everyone with every edit I did. So, I've since stopped. 

Does it now? Good info to have. Thank you, because you know that would be me, sending out 10,000 notifications at 6am on a Sunday morning. 😀

Just now, Libby Drew said:

Does it now? Good info to have. Thank you, because you know that would be me, sending out 10,000 notifications at 6am on a Sunday morning. 😀

On some sites or apps it actually allows you to checkmark a "do not notify users" option. But, on GA, it's always best to make sure your chapters are as pristine as can be before posting. 

Agreed and thanks. It's actually motivation to do exactly that, isn't it?

Just now, Libby Drew said:

Agreed and thanks. It's actually motivation to do exactly that, isn't it?

My tricks of the trade for editing:

1. Random friend to read the chapter.

2. Grammarly or another grammar-checking website to remind me just how many times I misuse commas and write sentences in backwards Spanish format.

3. A text-to-speech program to hear my own cringey writing being spoken to me in a robotic voice and catch things like the same word written twice in the same sentence (some people just use their iphones for this, others that work online use a combination of google docs and a text-to-speech web browser extension). 

Even then there are still things you might not catch, but I'd say that's decent enough to post. Worry about the "perfectly edited" copy whenever you want to actually publish something. 

6 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

 

3. A text-to-speech program to hear my own cringey writing being spoken to me in a robotic voice and catch things like the same word written twice in the same sentence (some people just use their iphones for this, others that work online use a combination of google docs and a text-to-speech web browser extension). 

Yes! I wouldn't dream of posting anything until, first, I sit on it for a few days (at least). And then read it out loud to myself.

My dogs love story time.

6 minutes ago, Libby Drew said:

Yes! I wouldn't dream of posting anything until, first, I sit on it for a few days (at least). And then read it out loud to myself.

My dogs love story time.

That works, too.

I always like thinking back at the time when I published previous stories. As long as I don't re-read them, I think of them somewhat highly. When I re-read them … well … I also cringe. When it's about spelling and grammar, I'm open to hints from my readers and like to correct them (spelling and grammar, not necessarily my readers ^^) if I'm not too lazy at that moment. I found that Grammarly is a good help with finding these errors.

When it's more about logic or the like, I wouldn't correct that. I think, it can be seen as a measurement of my own development as an author and I should adhere to my own shortcomings.

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Anybody feel like sharing their thoughts?

Would you edit your older stories when you believe you can make them better, based on the writer you are now?

Or would you not? Is preserving your evolution as a writer more important?

If I started fixing plot details not a stone would be left standing. And yes, I like the idea of preserving stuff even though, I don't really know, what for. But I kinda follow the principal, once brought onto paper, you've spent enough thought on that, so it'll fit.