Hazel Edwards
asked
Hazel Edwards:
How do you feel when an 'old' book is re-issued in a new format or changes are made to the content?
Hazel Edwards
Some readers get upset if you don't remember every tiny detail of an earlier character.That's why I usually write a dossier on each character (hair colour, eyes, habits, relatives, pets etc) in case there's several years before I revisit.
Technological change is the major need for updating., especially in earlier mysteries where a visual or audio clue was vital, but these days a character would just use a mobile to provide proof of a set up. It's best not to use brandnames or even types of electronic devices because they are likely to be superceded. Political correctness is another challenge. Inevitably you write within your time. But attitudes may change drastically towards things like 'smacking' . So an author may need to update. But when 'censorship' insists on changes that's another issue. I think the author should have the final word on whether a story should be 'updated' and in what ways.
Technological change is the major need for updating., especially in earlier mysteries where a visual or audio clue was vital, but these days a character would just use a mobile to provide proof of a set up. It's best not to use brandnames or even types of electronic devices because they are likely to be superceded. Political correctness is another challenge. Inevitably you write within your time. But attitudes may change drastically towards things like 'smacking' . So an author may need to update. But when 'censorship' insists on changes that's another issue. I think the author should have the final word on whether a story should be 'updated' and in what ways.
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