Wednesday 1 March 2017

#IWSG post -- March 1 Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

Here we are again! Another month, another security or insecurity. How this year is flying by!

It's always a good way to mark the beginning of the month by posting/reading for the IWSG. My head is full of other things this month, like heading off on a road trip through outback Australia -- 2.054 kilometres (1.276  miles) each way.

I leave today, March 1st.

Image result for image of australian outback

Thanks to Alex's awesome co-hosts for the March 1 IWSG: Tamara Narayan,Patsy Collins, M.J. Fifield, and Nicohle Christopherson!

Today I'll go with the question:

Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it?

Well, sort of. But the 'really old story' I'm talking about is my vampire novella. 'Under the Tuscan Moon' was my indulgence published in 2015 - written with an ancient slant to the language as it was more likely spoken in the 16th century. Some readers found the language off putting, others thought it was exquisite. Commercial viability has won, and after doing two posts on self-publishing I've used some of the feedback to kick start my sales. Probably the most important advice was to think about my target audience (thanks L Diane Wolfe). So I've done this, and have come up with a new title, new author name, and most importantly, new cover, so there's no doubt what lies inside the pages. Currently, I'm re-writing the whole story, galloping along in modern English at a much faster pace.

Along with my good friend Lynda Young, I attended a Joanna Penn lecture/discussion on self-publishing yesterday (basically, why would you do anything else, she asks?) Joanna is a great proponent of reworking her books -- new covers, fixing anything a reader may have pointed out etc etc. She staggered us by saying she does this monthly! Egad!


So, yes, I believe in reworking stories. I'll let you know how it goes when I re-publish.

Hope you have as much fun as I intend to this month!

And thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit little 'ole me. Looking forward to visiting you as wifi and travel miles allow.



60 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Have a safe trip!
Looking forward to the new cover and title. Glad you and Lynda got to attend the lecture.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm glad my suggestion got you to thinking. Sometimes a new cover can make all the difference in the world.

dolorah said...

One of the great things about self publishing is that you get to edit after publication, lol. I'm one that liked the old fashioned language. I feel it helps with setting. I understand the need for easy, relatable language though.

Hope the re-vamping (pun intended, lol) helps with sales.

Gads, I wish I could travel the outback with you. I'd probably be afraid of everything out there though. You won't challenge any boxing kangaroo's, right?

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Denise - enjoy the roadtrip and visiting places, family and friends ... sounds wonderful. Fascinating post you've given us ... yes, Joanna obviously is very much in control of her author-life ...

Good luck with your re-launch ... it'll be interesting to see the differences ... for now - enjoy that trip ... cheers Hilary

The Cynical Sailor said...

A trip to the Australian outback sounds like so much fun - enjoy! I think that was great advice to consider your target audience. Cheers - Ellen

Pat Garcia said...

Hello Lady,
Have a wonderful trip. I can imagine that you will enjoy it. As for your project, I truly wish you the very best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, Desise. This month's question brought you to mind as the book I expanded for publication came out of a challenge you hosted. Can't see myself reworking books each month, but I understand keeping up with the times and sales methods. Enjoy your trip!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Have a great trip, Denise. That' awesome that you are reworking and marketing your book differently. Good luck with it.

Yolanda Renée said...

Can't wait to see the finished product!
Have a wonderful trip! I expect loads of FB updates and pictures!
Great advice - monthly? Wow!

Pat Hatt said...

Hope a great trip is had at your pad. Doing it monthly would sure be a lot of work. A little rework can go a long way though.

Unknown said...

Wow, that sounds like an awesome adventure! Have a great trip!

Deniz Bevan said...

Looking forward to hearing about your re-publishing... and your trip! That sounds so awesome! I hope you share lots of photos and stories and sensory experiences with us!
And don't forget to bring a big knife... Sorry :P

emaginette said...

Excellent post. I have some things to think about now. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

You're inspiring both with travels and taking advantage of learning opportunities to help in your own career.

Raimey Gallant said...

I love Joanna Penn as well, especially her podcast series. It's interesting how she approaches reworking covers. Safe travels my friend! I'm more than a little jealous. :) http://www.raimeygallant.com

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I loved the talk with Joanna Penn. It really invigorated me. Now I'm super inspired to write again! Have an awesome trip!

Tamara Narayan said...

I love the fact that I can go back into my self-published stuff and fix the typos.

cleemckenzie said...

I've been very lazy on the re-publishing end of this business. I'll have to "talk" to you and glean some of Joanna's insights. How great to see her in person.

Olga Godim said...

Good luck with revamping your story. Have fun on your road trip. Bring back some photos!

The Armchair Squid said...

Enjoy your trip! I hope you will share loads of photos.

Anonymous said...

I love Joanna Penn - I check in at her website and would love to see her in person. Sounds like you have many adventures ahead. Best wishes for your revamping and your trip.

Renee Scattergood said...

I wish I had the money to redo my covers... I'm constantly re-editing my published works though when people point out errors. It's worth taking the time to do it and I think it builds up your credibility as an author when you show willingness to constantly improve your work for your readers.

Denise Covey said...

Good for you, Renee. Yep. Those covers can cost a bomb. Joanna also said that the 2 things you need to spend money on are covers and editors.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Lee. It was great meeting Joanna for a casual coffee before the meeting and to listen to her passionate presentation.

Denise Covey said...

And I'm having fun revamping my vamps!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks AS, I will!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Olga! I'm having fun and taking heaps of great pics.

Denise Covey said...

Was fantastic and got us all fired up to improve our lazy ways, LOL! I'd be happy to share, but I'm sure you're the expert.

Denise Covey said...

That's the best part, isn't it, Tamara?

Denise Covey said...

I hope you're writing up a storm Lyn! As I said in my email, I'm having a great time. See you soon!

Denise Covey said...

She is SO inspiring, isn't she? Her reworked covers look so amazing when you see her first efforts!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Susan. You're the guru!

Denise Covey said...

Good that i made you think emaginette!

Denise Covey said...

I will share photos and some stories for sure Deniz! Heh heh, big knife, eh? I don't have one big enough, LOL!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Megan!

Denise Covey said...

Yep. As Joanna says, 'WHAT DO YOU WANT?'

Denise Covey said...

Heh, can't do FB without a strong enough signal. I don't know how people live in the outback!

Denise Covey said...

I think it should be positive, Natalie.

Denise Covey said...

Yes, Joy, WEP and RWF have been responsible for republications galore. I often use my stories to submit to magazines after severe re-workings.

Denise Covey said...

Hello, sweet Patricia! Thank you.

Denise Covey said...

Hi CS. You'd be so impressed to learn that paddleboats used to navigate right up the Darling River to deliver goods to the hamlets. That is the route i have taken.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks, dear Hilary. You're always so supportive. And yes, I'm enjoying my trip, except for poor phone signals!

Denise Covey said...

I think more people liked the old fashioned than I thought. I'm thinking of leaving the classic version on Amazon too. The revamp (LOL) will be very different.

Wish you could join me, too. I've seen kangaroos, emus, sheep by the thousands and cattle, but no snakes so far!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks again. What you said made sense, L Diane. And just a new cover helps for sure.

Denise Covey said...

Yep, Lynda and I are having a ball every chance we get.

The Cynical Sailor said...

How cool - I'd love to see that one day :-)

VR Barkowski said...

One of the scariest things about self-publishing is the ability to go in and make changes after the work has been published. It’s hard enough for me to let go of a project. If I knew I could continue to revise, I’d probably be stuck in editing mode forever. :)

Travel safe and enjoy, Denise!

Unknown said...

Goodness, I'll admit I didn't know Joanna Penn redid her books on the monthly. That sounds daunting! But it sounds to me like you've taken some good advice for Tuscan Sun and seem to be getting somewhere with it. I'm glad to hear that. Don't forget to keep us all up to date on it, okay?

Denise Covey said...

I will. Thanks.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks VR. I know. It's hard letting go. But we have to somehow.

Jemi Fraser said...

Monthly??? Yikes!
I think I would tweak endlessly ... which is kind of my problem at the moment too :)
I hope you have an AMAZING road trip - stay safe!!!

Renee Scattergood said...

Thankfully, I have the editor part covered. :-D

Maria said...

Joanna Penn is wonderfuI I love her blog and her books too. I hope you enjoy your trip. I look forward to reading about it. Best of luck with the reworked novel.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Jemi. Yes, I tweak endlessly!

Denise Covey said...

After meeting Joanna, she is such a passionate writer, so inspiring.

Denise Covey said...

I'm hoping to find the time to write about it. Will be sure to let you know...

H. R. Sinclair said...

Have a safe and wonderful trip! :)

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Holly!

Michelle Wallace said...

Denise, you're on the move...again! I can't keep up with you!
Sounds like you and Lynn are having loads of fun!

So you're revamping UTTM? The rich language is perfect for that setting, but I understand the need to go with the times. Won't it be a lot of work to rewrite the story...that IS what you're going to do? Am I right?

Have a wonderful trip!

Denise Covey said...

Yes Michelle! I'm rewriting it completely. Yes, it's a lot of work, but I think it's the right move. :-)