If you could rewrite your favorite story… would you?

[Omarfaruq]

Quick question for all writers:
We all have that one story we loved as a reader—or maybe even wrote ourselves. But imagine this: you get the power to rewrite it completely.
1.Would you change the ending?
2.Would you fix plot holes, tweak the MC, or redo the world?
3.Or would you leave it as it is, because “perfectly flawed” has its charm?
I want to know—do we cling to nostalgia, or chase the version we wish existed?
Share your thoughts. Let’s disscus: rewriting = sacrilege, or rewriting = evolution?

 

[Eldoria]

Quick question for all writers:
We all have that one story we loved as a reader—or maybe even wrote ourselves. But imagine this: you get the power to rewrite it completely.
1.Would you change the ending?
2.Would you fix plot holes, tweak the MC, or redo the world?
3.Or would you leave it as it is, because “perfectly flawed” has its charm?
I want to know—do we cling to nostalgia, or chase the version we wish existed?
Share your thoughts. Let’s debate: rewriting = sacrilege, or rewriting = evolution?

Evolution. No plot or characters have changed. As I stated in my previous answer, I rewrote solely to increase immersion, from a fiction that focused on "what happens next?" to become "how does this scene make the reader feel?"

My goal in rewriting fiction isn't to change the plot and characters, but to enhance the reading experience, bringing it up to the standard of fiction worth reading.

It's about finding the balance between showing and telling in writing a vivid narrative.

Edit: Don't debate, dude. We'd be better off discussing the issue to broaden our perspectives instead of debating, "Who is right?"

Edit 2: I'm confused by the statement "rewrite your favorite story." I understand it to mean a favorite story I've written. But this statement could be interpreted differently, meaning another fiction that I enjoy as a reader. If the meaning leans toward the latter interpretation... then it could lead to creating fan fiction or expecting the author (e.g., Tolkien) to rewrite their fiction (it's so unrealistic).

 

[Avarice_Of_The_Seven]

Quick question for all writers:
We all have that one story we loved as a reader—or maybe even wrote ourselves. But imagine this: you get the power to rewrite it completely.

If the story was written by us, then we would always have the power to rewrite it.

We wouldn't need any new power for that since we already have that power.

Edit: That is, unless you are under a platform contract that doesn't allow rewrites.

 

[Omarfaruq]

If the story was written by us, then we would always have the power to rewrite it.

We wouldn't need any new power for that since we already have that power.

I didn't think about it at that time ?

 

[Omarfaruq]

Evolution. No plot or characters have changed. As I stated in my previous answer, I rewrote solely to increase immersion, from a fiction that focused on "what happens next?" to become "how does this scene make the reader feel?"

My goal in rewriting fiction isn't to change the plot and characters, but to enhance the reading experience, bringing it up to the standard of fiction worth reading.

It's about finding the balance between showing and telling in writing a vivid narrative.

Edit: Don't debate, dude. We'd be better off discussing the issue to broaden our perspectives instead of debating, "Who is right?"

I meant a friendly discussion by debate ?

 

[Jerynboe]

Sir I believe what you are describing is called fanfiction. So, given what most of my writing is so far? Yes, but only if I don’t damage the original through mystic powers.

 

[Omarfaruq]

Sir I believe what you are describing is called fanfiction. So, given what most of my writing is so far? Yes, but only if I don’t damage the original through mystic powers.

I meant completely changing the main timeline without making alternative ones.

 

[Deleted member 34529]

How did you double post without merging...

I also want that power...
How...

 

[Jerynboe]

I meant completely changing the main timeline without making alternative ones.

Then no. It feels like the height of disrespect to do such a thing to a story I actually like. I’m someone who complains about media a lot, but actually changing someone else’s work when I liked it? Hell no.

Change an adaptation that I feel was done poorly or which completely dropped the ball somehow? Sure, there’s plenty of things where I feel like things were done in the laziest possible way. But not something I actually LIKED.

Even my own work? No. But that’s because there is no context where going back and tinkering with my own story is a better value proposition than just making something new.

 

[JordanIda]

No.

My favorites are my favorites, because I like them as they are.

 

[Omarfaruq]

Then no. It feels like the height of disrespect to do such a thing to a story I actually like. I’m someone who complains about media a lot, but actually changing someone else’s work when I liked it? Hell no.

Change an adaptation that I feel was done poorly or which completely dropped the ball somehow? Sure, there’s plenty of things where I feel like things were done in the laziest possible way. But not something I actually LIKED.

Even my own work? No. But that’s because there is no context where going back and tinkering with my own story is a better value proposition than just making something new.

I get you. It does feel like disrespect to change your favourite story, the question was would you change the plot like your one of the favourite character died and you can reserruct him in the main story.

No.

My favorites are my favorites, because I like them as they are.

I get you. it's just like that you liked a story and it's your favourite but there's something you didn't like it can be the system or anything else.

 

[L1aei]

Eh, I already have fanfiction. So I guess I already do rewrite favorites?

 

[Omarfaruq]

How did you double post without merging...

I also want that power...
How...

I don't know how it happened.
Sorry bro i can't tell you because I also want to know ?

Eh, I already have fanfiction. So I guess I already do rewrite favorites?

The question was you got a superpower to rewrite it, so what would you change with that power after changing something it will be the main timeline.

 

[Juia_Darkcrest]

my favorite stories? No

BUT

If I could rewrite a few others that I really enjoy, making them the new canon story, then yes, yes, I would.

IE, I would finish High School of the Dead Manga, the author died, leaving it unfinished.
I would rewrite High School DXD so it actually makes bloody sense. The first few LNs/anime/manga have soo many plot holes, the original writers not thinking that TNA manga would have blown up like it did.
I would take RWBY from RT/Warner Bro and rewrite it from after season 2. After Monty died, the show went from something amazing to ...whatever we want to call the last couple seasons.

For other novels, I would rewrite The Wheel of Time from book 3...maybe book 5 onwards, deleting all the secondary and tertiary characters that did not add anything to the story. When Sanderson took over the novels, he literally murked the majority of them, ending whatever extra story RJ had intended before his health declined. To replace them, I would just add more scenes of Matt doing Matt things, as that would be way more interesting than anything else that was going on. #mattwastherealmc

 

[L1aei]

The question was you got a superpower to rewrite it, so what would you change with that power after changing something it will be the main timeline.

I know, but that is my issue: I've done them all already, so I can't say what I would do when I already did it.

 

[Omarfaruq]

I know, but that is my issue: I've done them all already, so I can't say what I would do when I already did it.

I get it

 

[Paul__Michaels]

What would be the most blasphemous novel choice possible that would piss off the most people? Hmmm? The Bible? Or the Quran? Oh, I know! Lord of the Rings, baby! It could really be jazzed up! With hookers, and Blackjack!

 

[Juia_Darkcrest]

What would be the most blasphemous novel choice possible that would piss off the most people? Hmmm? The Bible? Or the Quran? Oh, I know! Lord of the Rings, baby! It could really be jazzed up! With hookers, and Blackjack!

Most novels could be jazzed up that way. I can see it now, Sam counting cards while Frodo keeps trying to get him to leave while they are still ahead. To the back side of this backroom gambling DEN, Gandalf is blowing smoke rings with a lady on each arm, telling them of the time he fought a monster while falling down a bottomless pit

Approved!

 

[Jerynboe]

What would be the most blasphemous novel choice possible that would piss off the most people? Hmmm? The Bible? Or the Quran? Oh, I know! Lord of the Rings, baby! It could really be jazzed up! With hookers, and Blackjack!

Despite the inclusion of blackjack and hookers we must now have a two page spread explaining the source of the wood used to make the sign on the front of the brothel and the local drama around a card game last week, or it isn’t really a rewrite of Tolkien.

 

[Omarfaruq]

What would be the most blasphemous novel choice possible that would piss off the most people? Hmmm? The Bible? Or the Quran? Oh, I know! Lord of the Rings, baby! It could really be jazzed up! With hookers, and Blackjack!

The Bible and The Qur'an are holy book they aren't novel bro ?