On November 29, 2025, Kasie and Rex took on RetCon or Retroactive Continuity. Here are the show notes:

Topic: Retroactive Continuity

Agenda:

• Quick catch up
• What is RetCon
• Types of RetCon
• Why writers use RetCon
• Examples in Books, Comics, and Shows
• Why RetCon matters in longform fiction

Segment 1

What is Retroactive Continuity? 

Retroactive continuity (often called retcon) is a storytelling device used in fiction when authors or creators deliberately change, add to, or contradict facts that were previously established in a story’s “official past.” In essence, the story’s “history” gets rewritten, sometimes subtly and sometimes quite dramatically. (Wikipedia)

According to one definition:

“Retroactive continuity is a literary device in which previously established information in a work of fiction is changed, ignored, or contradicted to suit the current story.” (TCK Publishing)

The motivations for retconning can vary:

• To correct continuity errors or inconsistencies that arose in earlier installments. (Wikipedia)
• To expand or deepen a story by adding new layers—backstories, motivations, relationships—that simply weren’t there before. (Language & Humanities)
• To reboot or reimagine a story, more in line with new creative direction, audience expectations, or modern sensibilities. (Language & Humanities)
• To revive characters (e.g., bring back a “dead” character) or reset aspects of the fictional universe to allow new plots. (Wikipedia)

In long-running franchises — comics, film series, TV shows — retcons are especially common because over time, multiple writers or creators may contribute, or earlier plot points simply don’t hold up to new storytelling ambitions. (FourWeekMBA)

Types of Retcons — How Writers Change the Past

Writers use different kinds of retcons depending on what they’re trying to achieve. Here are some commonly used types: (Ultimate Pop Culture)

• Addition: New facts are added to the story’s “past” — e.g., revealing previously unknown family members, hidden motivations, or secret events. This enriches the backstory without erasing what was there. (Language & Humanities)
• Alteration: Existing events or character details are changed or reinterpreted — maybe a character’s motives are different, or an earlier event is revealed to have hidden layers. (Ultimate Pop Culture)
• Subtraction / Reboot: Entire plots, origins, or histories are erased or disregarded — sometimes the fictional universe gets “reset.” This kind is more drastic and often controversial. (Language & Humanities)
• Temporal Compression / Timeline Reshuffling: Especially common in sci-fi, fantasy, or multiverse stories — events may be shifted around, timelines restructured, or alternate universes introduced to reconcile contradictions. (Ultimate Pop Culture)

Why Writers Use Retcons — The Good & The Risky

Benefits & Creative Advantages

• Flexibility & Evolution: Retcons give writers room to evolve a story beyond what was originally planned — add depth, complexity, or modernize elements that feel outdated.
• Fixing Mistakes / Inconsistencies: Over long series, small errors or conflicting details are almost inevitable; retcon lets creators clean up the canon and maintain cohesion.
• Reviving or Refreshing a Series: Bringing back beloved characters, reworking story arcs, or recontextualizing events can reignite interest in a franchise.
• Expanding Narratives: New backstory elements or altered history can open fresh storytelling opportunities, enriching the fictional world.

Downside & Potential Fan Friction

• Alienating Fans: People invested in the “original” version may feel betrayed or disconnected when the story changes dramatically. (ProWritingAid)
• Undermining Stakes / Emotional Impact: For example, if a character was killed but later “un-killed,” the emotional weight of that death can feel hollow.
• Confusion & Canon Instability: Frequent retcons can make the official story confusing — which version is “real”? What counts as “canon”?
• Perceived Laziness: Some critics view retconning as a shortcut or cop-out — rewriting history instead of building careful, coherent storytelling from the start.

Whether retcon “works” often depends on execution: how smoothly the new details integrate, how respectful (or not) the rewrite is to earlier events, and whether fans embrace or reject the changes.

Examples in Books, Comics, and Shows

• All‑Star Squadron — A classic case in comics. The series retroactively rewrote parts of the history of DC’s Golden Age superheroes: characters and events were inserted into the universe’s past that hadn’t existed before, reshaping canonical history. (Wikipedia)
• Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle — In “The Final Problem,” Holmes appeared to die — but in later stories, that was undone: his “death” was revealed to be staged, and Holmes was back, alive and well. That’s a classic literary retcon. (Language & Humanities)
• Long-running TV shows and soap operas often retcon events or character histories to keep the story going or reverse poor reception. The technique sometimes coincides with what’s known in storytelling as the “reset button.” (Patrick’s Place)
• Broader use across comics, films, novels, and serial fiction — after decades of stories, creators may retcon origins, relationships, or world-rules to fit new narrative goals or modern sensibilities. (Ultimate Pop Culture)

If you like, I can pull up 10 striking retcon examples (from books, TV, comics, movies) to show how widely this technique is used.

Why Retroactive Continuity Matters — Especially in Serial & Long-form Fiction

The appeal of retcon — and why it remains important — lies in its ability to allow stories to grow, adapt, and stay relevant. Long-running franchises often outlive their creators’ original visions, or the world evolves, audience tastes change, and new writers bring fresh perspectives. Retcon offers a mechanism for those creators to reshape the narrative without discarding everything.

At the same time, retcon raises interesting questions about what “canon” really means. When a story’s past can change, does that alter the emotional weight of earlier events? How do we, as fans or readers, negotiate with a shifting fictional history?

For many franchises, retcon becomes part of the mythos itself — a sign that the story, like its characters, is alive and evolving.

Segment 4

What to Use Retcon For — Good Reasons to Retcon

Fix plot holes or continuity errors: Over a long story (series of books, comics, episodes), small inconsistencies or forgotten details can accumulate. Retcon lets you smooth those out to keep the story coherent. TCK Publishing+2HiddenGemsBooks+2

Add depth or clarity: You can use retcon to expand a character’s backstory, motivations, relationships, or world-building in a way that enriches the story now that you understand its full scope. Naito Diamond+2TCK Publishing+2

Enable new plot directions or thematic growth: If your series evolves or you’ve grown as a writer, retcon gives flexibility — you can adapt earlier events or histories to better support new arcs or characters. Naito Diamond+2Christophe Garon+2

Reconcile old mistakes — without starting from scratch: Instead of rewriting the whole story, a well-done retcon can update the narrative and preserve what still works. LAURENCE MACNAUGHTON+2HiddenGemsBooks+2

How to Retcon Well — Best Practices for Writers

Here are guidelines to help make retcons feel natural and satisfying rather than jarring or cheating:

• Retcon only when it improves — not just to “undo” mistakes

Use retcon to resolve real problems — a confusing timeline, contradictory facts, or a world rule that no longer works — rather than as a quick fix when you change your mind about a character or plot.

• Make the retcon plausible within the world

Whenever possible, frame added or altered details as “always having been true,” or provide logical in-world explanations (flashbacks, memory gaps, hidden secrets, alternate perspectives) rather than simply “forgetting” earlier story facts. This helps preserve suspension of disbelief. The Write Place+1

• Prefer additive or clarifying retcons over erasing retcons

Rather than outright removing or contradicting previously established facts, adding unseen backstory or offering context tends to sit better with readers. It enriches instead of erasing. TCK Publishing+1

• Keep new changes consistent and coherent

After the retcon, make sure all repercussions and ripple effects are addressed. Don’t just shoe-horn in a change — follow through logically with how it affects the characters, relationships, world rules, etc.

• Maintain respect for the original version

Even if you make big changes, treat the earlier material with care. Changing everything too drastically can alienate fans or undermine emotional resonance.

• If possible, signal the change in a satisfying way

Whether through character revelations, flashbacks, or other narrative devices — give readers clarity about what changed, why, and how it affects things going forward.

• Use retcons sparingly — they’re powerful, but risky

Like any tool, retcon is most effective when used thoughtfully. Overuse (or careless retconning) can make your story feel unstable or reduce stakes. ProWritingAid+2The Write Place+2

Common Pitfalls & What to Watch Out For

• Alienating fans/readers: If retcons undo emotionally important events (e.g., death, relationships, sacrifices) — readers may feel cheated or that the stakes were hollow. ProWritingAid+1
• Creating further contradictions or new plot holes: A retcon without careful follow-through might solve one problem but create others — undermining trust in the story’s consistency.
• Narrative instability: Frequent or dramatic retcons can make the story’s “truth” feel fluid, which may reduce tension or lessen investment in events.
• Perception of laziness or “cheat”: Some readers dislike retcons because they feel like a shortcut, rather than thoughtful writing. Patrick’s Place+2ProWritingAid+2

When & How to Implement a Retcon — A Step-by-Step Mini-Guide

• Identify the problem: Is there an inconsistency, unresolved mystery, or outdated detail that hurts the story?
• Decide what kind of retcon you need: Addition (add new info), alteration (reinterpret existing facts), or — carefully — subtraction (remove/replace a detail). Additive tends to be safest.
• Plan carefully: Map out how the new detail changes the timeline, affects characters, or impacts relationships/world-rules.
• Introduce the retcon smoothly: Use flashback, character discovery, altered perspective, secret history — whichever makes the addition feel natural.
• Address the consequences: Don’t ignore how the change ripples through the rest of the narrative. Fix or revisit affected scenes/character arcs if needed.
• Respect prior investment: Acknowledge the original events (if possible) — treat them as having been real to the characters, even if the reader’s understanding changes.
• Balance transparency and mystery: You don’t need to reveal everything at once — but avoid making the retcon feel arbitrary or hidden for “convenience.”
• Test reader response if possible: If you can — share with beta readers, editors, or fans. Sometimes what feels elegant to the writer doesn’t land for readers.
• Avoid overusing retcon: Use only when the payoff — in narrative richness, clarity, or emotional resonance — justifies rewriting the past.

Further Reading & Resources

• What Is Retroactive Continuity? Definition, Types, and Examples — a good overview of retcon usage in serial fiction. TCK Publishing
• Use Retconning to Fix Your Series Without Losing Readers — a recent piece for authors considering retcon in long-form fiction. HiddenGemsBooks
• Retcon (Retroactive Continuity) — a deeper exploration of the concept’s history, applications, and pros/cons. Christophe Garon+1
• Fiction University: Plot Problem? Fix It Fast with a Retcon — discusses how to use retcon as a writing tool, even during drafting. Janice Hardy’s Blog
• What Is Retroactive Continuity in Writing: A Deep Dive — analysis of retcon’s role in movies, TV, and books; what works and what doesn’t. Filmmaking Lifestyle+1