How to tell if it's worth rewriting a manuscript

razilber · Jan 18, 2010

Hi,
I rewrote the first book of Samuel, it took me about six months. I spend four hours each day writing, since I have a full time job. Now I am rewriting the second book. I am begining to see that this book probably is best suited for a Christian Market. I have considered that if I do not find an agent for it by the time I've finished writing the second book--probably in May, I should try an rewrite my own manuscript, this time in a diffrent genre, for example, I can see this as a fantasy science fiction type of story. I know that the story is good, because its not mine, and its about three thousand years old. So if I change all the relgion say to magic, like in Lord of the Rings, and turn my prophet into a wizard, it may work better. I have already received a simialr suggestion at this site. But before I start rewriting, how do I decide if I should do it or not?
Thank you for reading, and thank you in advance for sending me comments.
-raisa

Kateness · Jan 18, 2010

I found the following article very helpful in determining about one of my old stories:

http://hollylisle.com/fm/Workshops/burnit.html

cathyfreeze · Jan 18, 2010

The best answer i can come up with is:

If it still grabs your attention and elicits passion from you as you write. If the changes to fantasy fiction feel fresh and new--if it leads you in interesting new directions. If the characters are intimate and human to you and you care about their lives and can make readers care, too.

That's what makes good fiction, imho. If you're comfortable with all of that, yes, i think you'll revise it into a great, fun, readable novel.

cat

timewaster · Jan 18, 2010

Is there anything else you'd rather write?
Some books might be seen as an apprenticeship - a way of learning. This bok might be seen that way?If you are still inspired by the idea it could be worth it but the kind of changes you suggest will change it so radically it might in fact be easier to start afresh.

lucidzfl · Jan 18, 2010

Do not rewrite it. Write something else new and move on.

Nateskate · Jan 18, 2010

People often base stories on previously told tales. An example is Avatar. It's a sci-fi version that mirrors a number of European-meets-Indian tales.

However, I don't think that you'd want to telegraph that you're doing this, because some people will pre-judge your story on that basis alone.

Or you could do like Tommy Teney ??? did with Hadashah ???

The concept was fine, but I wasn't fond of the execution of that book or that movie based on Esther. He'd have been far better off doing a more literal version.

Danthia · Jan 19, 2010

Write whatever you feel the most passionate about. As long as you love the story and want to write it, write it. If you're changing it only because you feel it would sell better as a fantasy and you've already done all this work, chances are you'd be better off working on something new.

shaldna · Jan 19, 2010

if you feel passionate enough about it then write it.

Phaeal · Jan 19, 2010

Ditto. Without passion, the rewrite will be dead on arrival. If you believe in your retelling of the story of Samuel, as Samuel's story, don't try to tart it up with a coating of fantasy. Start learning how to strengthen your writing and redo the story as is. Study the novels you love. Study books on writing fiction. Look for a writing community, face to face or online, that can give you steady feedback. Look for a beta reader.

In other words, consider that it may not be the story, but the execution. Yeah, that's a tough one to face, as I know from personal experience. Writing well is a loooooong apprenticeship.

Lady Ice · Jan 19, 2010

razilber said:
Hi,
I rewrote the first book of Samuel, it took me about six months. I spend four hours each day writing, since I have a full time job. Now I am rewriting the second book. I am begining to see that this book probably is best suited for a Christian Market. I have considered that if I do not find an agent for it by the time I've finished writing the second book--probably in May, I should try an rewrite my own manuscript, this time in a diffrent genre, for example, I can see this as a fantasy science fiction type of story. I know that the story is good, because its not mine, and its about three thousand years old. So if I change all the relgion say to magic, like in Lord of the Rings, and turn my prophet into a wizard, it may work better. I have already received a simialr suggestion at this site. But before I start rewriting, how do I decide if I should do it or not?
Thank you for reading, and thank you in advance for sending me comments.
-raisa

Try it and see if it works. The Bible has a lot of good stories and you could broaden your appeal.
Take what you like about the story and play around with it.

Dave.C.Robinson · Jan 19, 2010

razilber said:
Hi,
I rewrote the first book of Samuel, it took me about six months. I spend four hours each day writing, since I have a full time job. Now I am rewriting the second book. I am begining to see that this book probably is best suited for a Christian Market. I have considered that if I do not find an agent for it by the time I've finished writing the second book--probably in May, I should try an rewrite my own manuscript, this time in a diffrent genre, for example, I can see this as a fantasy science fiction type of story. I know that the story is good, because its not mine, and its about three thousand years old. So if I change all the relgion say to magic, like in Lord of the Rings, and turn my prophet into a wizard, it may work better. I have already received a simialr suggestion at this site. But before I start rewriting, how do I decide if I should do it or not?
Thank you for reading, and thank you in advance for sending me comments.
-raisa

When you say that if you turn your religion to magic and make your prophet into a wizard the book "may work better," the question that leaps to my mind is in what way?

If you think the change would work better for making the novel more saleable, you probably shouldn't do it. Trading away your passion for a more marketable genre simply puts a weaker book up against more competition. It's rarely a winning move.

However, if you think it would work better as a fantasy because changing the setting better allows you to illustrate the universality of the themes and story, I would say go for it.

Choose the option that best serves the story.

shaldna · Jan 19, 2010

I find this thread interesting because Religious fiction is an interesting topic.

Personally I think the Bible has a lot of great stories that more people should be told, and not necessarily as part of religious instruction.

However, I'm always put off by the 'christian fiction' label. Part of it, I feel, is that I don't want to be preached to, and I don't want to have someone elses religious ideas shoved at me.

So it's a difficult place, and while I fully respect christian writers, I don't buy those books.

That said, if it was a 'fantasy' retelling of a biblical story then I would be more interested in that.

But again, that's a personal thing.

razilber · Jan 19, 2010

Hi,
Thank you to all for sharing your wisdom and experience. I see elements of what everyone posted is true. I agree, that writing is a long aprenticeship. I am rewriting the book of Samuel, mainly because it speaks to me, and also I am apprenticing to an author whose work withstood the test of time, since this book was written at least three thousand years ago. Howver this book does not preach, it lays things out, without preaching or judging, or taking sides. If anyone is familiar with the story, God does not play favorites, because supposidly, even his favorite David, gets hit in every aspect of his life. In Samuel, there are no winners, everyone is held accountable for their deeds. Now, enough of my flat retoric. I would like to share with everyone that I received an email today in response to my query, asking to see the first ten pages. I also want to say that the agent who asked is highly respected and well known. For the last few days I was getting email rejections--and it hurt--alot as some of you are familiar with this feeling. But after sinking low and feeling that I suck as a writer and even a human being, I feel elated. I hope I can find a balance. But then I am just beginning. Thanks again--for all your great sharing, and for the next few days I love you all! May the sun shine on all your heads, even if for a few moments.

ebennet68 · Jan 19, 2010

I love a lot of the stories in the book of Samuel: Hannah finally getting the child she wanted so badly, the friendship between Jonathan and David as well as many other little tidbits. Good luck with everything.

Matera the Mad · Jan 19, 2010

Try it and see what happens. All writing -- and re-writing -- is good mental exercise. Build your writing muscles on anything that interests you. If the spark fizzles out and you can't relight it, set it aside and move on.

How to tell if it's worth rewriting a manuscript

razilber

Kateness

cathyfreeze

I lost my fever! I need it back!

timewaster

present

lucidzfl

Back from the dead

Nateskate

Danthia

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Dave.C.Robinson

... with the High Command

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

razilber

ebennet68

Avoids editing by procrastinating

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint