On rewriting

So, a while ago I had a better idea for the resolution of Displacement, which I could work into the fabric of the novel without too much effort, or more importantly having done major rewrites in the past, disruption to the rest of the narrative.

Given I self-publish using Amazon, and therefore retain complete creative control of the text, coupled with the low cost of making the alterations (financially at least, though the hours I’d need to put in could be significant) I was tempted to delve back into the book and make the changes.

Then I thought of something (I think) Philip Pullman said in an interview once about how when you’re writing, the work is yours and yours alone, but when you’ve published, it’s no longer yours – it’s owned by everyone who has read it.

Then I thought about the instances where Hollywood directors have gone back and basically buggered about with a couple of my favourite films (George Lucas and Ridley Scott, I’m looking at you here!), and immediately shelved the notion of revisiting Displacement.

Basically, it’s out there. It’s not mine anymore.

But it is a *really* good idea…

rd.