Way back in 2002, I published my first book. I'd taken the classes. I'd learned everything I thought I needed to know. "Don't tell, show." So many things. I was so proud of myself for applying all the rules, learning all the lessons. I dived right into writing my second book all pumped up and ready to go.
Except I was a rookie. I got so many things wrong.
Recently, I had a friend ask me what happened to my first book. It's no longer on my website, no longer available for sale. This is a process known as remaindering. The second book was also remaindered as hopelessly outdated and probably filled with more of those rookie mistakes. I don't think that book is redeemable. I didn't get a "good" editor until my third book. She took me the next step in my writing (shoutout to Kelly!).
However, with the question about THE TREASURE OF ST. PAUL, I went back to review that first book and cringed with nearly every word. First off, it was written 22 years ago, at a time when the world was a different place. It was written over a period of years (first books are like that) when I was a different person. I tried to update it about 10 or so years ago, but it was still outdated and the problem was I tried to edit it rather than rewrite it. MISTAKE.
I'm between books now, and have been considering my next step, but with my friend asking about that first book, I decided to take one more look at it. The decision: Rewrite. Not just edit. It's an exercise more than anything else, but I have always loved the story, just not the rookie mistakes and the outdated thinking. I have time before I get edits back, and I'm not inclined to start a new project, so it fits nicely into the "in between" space. Will I republish it for reader consumption? Maybe. As I said, I've always loved the story. I have a much more critical eye now that I know what to look for, now that I've trained to do this job for 22 years. I have better tools to work with.
With that being said, some books should be allowed to fade into the past. We live in a world where books are available forever. That's a long time, and a lot of cultural change to overcome. How many books withstand the test of time? I grew up reading Victoria Holt. Pretty sure I've read every one of her books, and often when I feel the need for a comfort read, I'll pull one off the shelf. Guess what? Her books have NOT withstood the test of time. The last time I selected one of her titles, it was an eye opener. The premise would NOT fly in today's world. Reading that book was also helpful in highlighting the issues with THE TREASURE OF ST. PAUL (my first book). Looking in the face of Ms. Holt's time capsule, I'm hoping I can overcome my own societal changes. If the story can't be redeemed, well, at least I'll have stayed in practice writing while I wait for my edits to come back. I should know whether it's worth pursuing by the time my editor is done with the latest Elspeth Barclay novel.
This is where I tell you DARK SHADOWS will be coming out next month. Who else is looking forward to reading it?
No comments:
Post a Comment