My critique group and I a few weeks back were discussing technology and references that date novels, such as public pay phones versus common cell phone usage, or gas station attendants who pump customers’ gas.  Should a writer leave the novel alone, as a snapshot in time, or should they issue a revised edition that brings the work into the here and now?  There were pros and cons to each, and our discussion led to the question of pop culture references.  These can not only date a novel, but their intended reference can be lost as time marches on.  It’s one thing to have a reader puzzle over a Rocky reference, but what if a novel is wall-to-wall pop culture?  How long before no one has any idea what that Hot Pocket reference in chapter five is about? Continue reading →