Perhaps you need to step back and consider something that we often overlook. Have you thought about changing your POV? Will that add new life to the story? Or you possibly have the wrong person telling the story. Maybe your MC isn't the best person for the job. Is there someone in your story that is stronger? Or perhaps your MC is too strong and your story would improve if it were told from the perspective of a more vulnerable character.
I'm experimenting with several possibilities as I begin rewrites on one of my trunked novels. It caught the interest of quite a few agents a few years back, but they all ultimately passed on it. I haven't figured out what will work best in this case, because it's still in the first stages of revision, but several ideas are floating around in the vast wasteland of my mind. What about alternating POV? Have any of you had success with that? It sounds rather complicated to me, but that might be what this particular novel needs. Both of my MC's are rather strong, and I wonder if they have been vying for the lead role all this time, and that's why it didn't quite gel.
How about you? Have you ever thought you had the entire book worked out and then second-guessed yourself into major rewrites? Did it help?
Have a great week, everyone. Hope you accomplish all your goals.
Cordelia
4 comments:
I'm generally satisfied with my main POV character but I've toyed with switching from 3rd person to first person just to see how it changes things. It's kind of fun actually, makes you feel oddly productive by accomplishing lots of editing but not changing the story.
Hi, Kylie. I have been trying this myself, but it's a whole new concept for me, and I'm not far enough along into it to decide if I like it or not. I don't have a problem reading first person now that I've become accustomed to it, but it's still a little odd for me to write.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience, and good luck with the changes!
I recently found myself stuck because my characters went their own direction and I hadn't planned for where they ended up. Once they got there, they looked to me to get them out of the situation. It stymied me for a while, but I eventually worked it out. It was due more to plotting than pov.
I've never tried writing in first person, but it is certainly becoming the norm for other writers. When I pick up something written in third person to read, I'm delighted.
I'm sure you'll find your way over this speed bump without much damage to yourself. Good luck!
Thanks, Missy!
I'll admit that when I first started reading first person, it irritated me. But now, as you say, it is very common. I wonder why?
Isn't it fun, and frustrating, when our characters misbehave? Sometimes I think they know a lot more than we do. Then, other times, we have to get stern with them and bring them back under our control.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences about this.
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