So let's say one forgets or needs to add some passages to a previously published chapter. How would this affect your readers and followers? is it wrong, or is it common? 
should it be added to the author's notes?

Im very obsessive with edits, and I need an outsider's opinion since im biased. lol

I would probably just make a note that the chapter was edited on x day so old readers aren't confused on rereads.

I think it's probably pretty common. I usually fix anything that's pointed out to me in comments, at least.

Correct grammatical errors. 

And carry on.

If you want to make improvements, do them in future chapters, never retroactively. 

Reason for this is twofold:
- people who left will almost never come back 
- people who stayed will almost never read backwards 

Only way to break this is by deleting and starting anew.

However, deleting, improving and starting anew will drive away some of your existing followers.

If you have only a couple of followers, and story is on hiatus, and you just started, there is a little to no damage from deleting, but as the time goes on there is no benefit in fixing the story. It's kinda due to web-serial format which doesn't lend itself much towards improving the craft. 

beast_regards Wrote: Correct grammatical errors. 

And carry on.

If you want to make improvements, do them in future chapters, never retroactively. 

Reason for this is twofold:
- people who left will almost never come back 
- people who stayed will almost never read backwards 

Only way to break this is by deleting and starting anew.

However, deleting, improving and starting anew will drive away some of your existing followers.

If you have only a couple of followers, and story is on hiatus, and you just started, there is a little to no damage from deleting, but as the time goes on there is no benefit in fixing the story. It's kinda due to web-serial format which doesn't lend itself much towards improving the craft.

THIS. very well articulated I had not considered some of those ramifications. thank you.

Cymas Wrote: I would probably just make a note that the chapter was edited on x day so old readers aren't confused on rereads.

I think it's probably pretty common. I usually fix anything that's pointed out to me in comments, at least.

This is exactly what I had thought. must be very common, especially in spaces such as royal road. 
my only concern was readers who are already following, as the other person mentioned. both are very valid points. seeing how Im just starting I should just add the edit dates in the notes, as I only have a few chapters up. 

I always fix typos. No matter how long ago the chapter was published.

If I look over a chapter and realize I have "and" three times in a sentence, I'll usually fix that. Stuff like that doesn't have a great impact on future readers, and if past readers re-read the chapter, chances are they won't notice. It's just editing for personal pride, but doesn't truly impact anything.

As far as completely rewriting conversations, overhauling descriptions, or rearranging the order of events... no. That stuff gets done when the book or volume is finished, and I'm about to put it on Amazon. Unless like 5+ people complain about something, leave it as it is. Just continue on, and fix it when you have something completed on your hands.

But if something comes up that you can't ignore and have to rewrite, put it in the author's notes of the next chapter you upload. Let people reading for the first time think your writing was always this great.

I do this a lot. I'll fix typos right away, since that's easy. If it's a bigger edit, I add it to a list of edits to make later. And eventually, I will get around to it--and yes, I do update it online, since I want to put my best foot forward for any new readers who happen to come along. 

BB Wrote: I do rewrites.
Yes, once someone leaves, they are not coming back.

But EVERY SINGLE TIME I post a new chapter, new people view my works. If they view 'fixed' chapters, they are more likely to stay.

Plus, I am not writing web serials. I am writing books. Every correction I make on RR means one less thing I am going to have to worry about for my kindle rewrite.

i keep forgetting this. I do plan on rewriting when finished so I should edit as I go. since I plan on doing the same. I just always seem to forget lol.

Try your best to make your work the finest, but don't let your will to perfect everything hold you and your writing back.
If you have time, and if the edit could really fix and enhance the story, you should edit it.

Dante Wrote: Try your best to make your work the finest, but don't let your will to perfect everything hold you and your writing back.
If you have time, and if the edit could really fix and enhance the story, you should edit it.

sometimes we get lost in attempting perfection that we achieve nothing at all. how right you are mate. thank you.

When I write, no matter how careful I am, there are occasionally proofing errors, or formatting functions I hadn't known how to previously take advantage of. (I am getting slightly better at editing since downloading Grammarly, though Grammarly is also occasionally wrong.) If you're in an editable medium, you should definitely revise where necessary.

Xitlaleztli Wrote: So let's say one forgets or needs to add some passages to a previously published chapter. How would this affect your readers and followers? is it wrong, or is it common? 
should it be added to the author's notes?

Im very obsessive with edits, and I need an outsider's opinion since im biased. lol

Perfectionism=insecurity

But I've had to go back on a few occasions to add inner monologue or clarify motives to appease the masses. If it were up to me (and it is) I delegate the bulk of my editing to my readers and avoid it until doing multiple chapters at once