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I was going to post this in the new Re-write discussion zone, but figured Dakota might not like it so I created a special place all its own.
The first Hatrack Re-write Challenge was about the "Three Billy Goats Gruff". After several months of editing, re-writing and procrastination, I'm nearing the fateful day when I will finally put my little story in an envelope and send it off to the wolves.
Before I do that, I have a major issue. I've gotten a lot of feed-back regarding my opening, basically it could/should be removed entirely and the story should start with what is essentially part 2.
My quandary is this: If this was just another story, it wouldn't really matter where I chose to start it. But this is a re-write and a big part of me wants to stay as close to the source story as possible.
The action of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff" begins with the dilema of the goats and then moves to the bridge and the individual confrontations with the troll.
Given my POV, I don't really need to include "the goats dilema", but I feel a sense of attachment to it.
So how important is it to stay true to the source material when doing a re-write?
At what point should you quit worrying about the source and just worry about the product? You know, "Suck it up princess..."
Any advice on looking at this sans emotion and with a modicum of objectivity?
posted
I think you met the requirements of the challenge to stay true to the original, when you submitted to the challenge. I see no reason to hold yourself to that when you submit to 3rd parties, unless you are prsenting it to THEM as a rewrite.
posted
I don't see a problem with detracting from the original. I see the rewrite as more inspirational than anything else. take it and run with it. Especially for third parties Posts: 3567 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
I like good stories and true advertising. If your story is "a retelling of the Billy Goats Gruff" and has a different plot line and no goats, I'll get cranky. If it's "based on the Billy Goats Gruff," I just want to see that it does have some connection. Go wild.
Posts: 2830 | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
ditto. If you really, really love it, you could try to rewrite to make the beginning essential, but I think you're probably better off forgetting your inspiration story and focussing on what makes this one rock.
Posts: 2022 | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I'm coming into this discussion late, but I wanted to say that I agree with what's been said so far.
As for objectivity, the only way I've done it with my re-writes is to put them in a drawer and ignore them for a month. Then, pull them out and read them like you would any story: edit, re-write, delete what doesn't work, add anything that helps build the story. It's what I did to my Headless Horseman story and by doing that I realized that it was a much bigger tale than I originally thought.
So after I finish my dragon novel, I'm going to work on the rough draft of my Headless Horseman novel.
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so I created a special place all its own.
