Writing Tales, Triumphs, and Tribulations: Rewrites

January 13, 2005

Rewrites

And another thing regarding the book . . . I have had this realization that I need to do some major changing with the point of view. "How to Write a Damn Good Novel" gave lengthy descriptions of different points of view -- stuff I learned in 8th grade, though it's always nice to hear it described again -- and then said "If you don't know what POV to use, try it from a few of them and see what works best."

I scoffed at this. I already knew what POV to use -- Shogun, the best historical fiction novel of ALL time -- laid the ground work. Third person objective -- but with different scenes from different characters' perspectives.

But see I've had this problem all along, where my voice isn't in there. I'm trying so hard to write this in a style that some of my favorite authors use and it's coming out stilted. I've been playing with this a lot, and have come up with a variety of decent solutions, but I think changing the point of view will make all the difference.

. . . which --and this is really the point -- is just damn scary. Not just that it involves major rewriting -- which it does, though no more than the major edits it needed anyway -- but it all becomes so much riskier. Taking a chance by doing it slightly differently, etc.

Posted by karenceliafox at January 13, 2005 05:05 PM

Comments

I can identify. My preference when writing is to reveal surface only when portraying a scene, reserving dips into the minds of POV characters only once in a very great while. Mariann's been pushing me to change that, and incorporate more interior monologue into my work. Whenever I do that, though, I feel as though I'm falling into some kind of writerly trap, as the sensation of writing that internal POV stuff just doesn't seem RIGHT.

The only real test of your work will come when someone else reads it, which you probably already know. You may simply be self-conscious about your work, and that leads to the idea that it's "stiff" or otherwise lacking. Best to get some feedback before doing anything truly radical, because you might be worried for nothing.

Posted by: James at January 14, 2005 10:07 AM

I've noticed a lot of writers have a particular POV that they consider the best for them. I try to figure out the best POV for the story... (Dunno how successful I am, but I try.)

Posted by: Janra at January 16, 2005 07:42 PM

I am constantly amazed at how, one is supposed to, you know, GROW as a writer. That it gets harder, not easier, because you have to keep pushing yourself. I do have one POV that works for me. . . and now it's time to push a little bit -- and find, as you say, the POV that works best for the story.

Posted by: Karen at January 17, 2005 07:34 AM



My newest book will be out in July. Preorder it now -- just click on it, go to Amazon, and help me earn royalties! And you can still buy my last book, The Big Bang Theory. Powered by Movable Type 2.661			« Writing Conflict \| Main \| Writing What You Know » January 13, 2005 Rewrites And another thing regarding the book . . . I have had this realization that I need to do some major changing with the point of view. "How to Write a Damn Good Novel" gave lengthy descriptions of different points of view -- stuff I learned in 8th grade, though it's always nice to hear it described again -- and then said "If you don't know what POV to use, try it from a few of them and see what works best." I scoffed at this. I already knew what POV to use -- Shogun, the best historical fiction novel of ALL time -- laid the ground work. Third person objective -- but with different scenes from different characters' perspectives. But see I've had this problem all along, where my voice isn't in there. I'm trying so hard to write this in a style that some of my favorite authors use and it's coming out stilted. I've been playing with this a lot, and have come up with a variety of decent solutions, but I think changing the point of view will make all the difference. . . . which --and this is really the point -- is just damn scary. Not just that it involves major rewriting -- which it does, though no more than the major edits it needed anyway -- but it all becomes so much riskier. Taking a chance by doing it slightly differently, etc. Posted by karenceliafox at January 13, 2005 05:05 PM Comments I can identify. My preference when writing is to reveal surface only when portraying a scene, reserving dips into the minds of POV characters only once in a very great while. Mariann's been pushing me to change that, and incorporate more interior monologue into my work. Whenever I do that, though, I feel as though I'm falling into some kind of writerly trap, as the sensation of writing that internal POV stuff just doesn't seem RIGHT. The only real test of your work will come when someone else reads it, which you probably already know. You may simply be self-conscious about your work, and that leads to the idea that it's "stiff" or otherwise lacking. Best to get some feedback before doing anything truly radical, because you might be worried for nothing. Posted by: James at January 14, 2005 10:07 AM I've noticed a lot of writers have a particular POV that they consider the best for them. I try to figure out the best POV for the story... (Dunno how successful I am, but I try.) Posted by: Janra at January 16, 2005 07:42 PM I am constantly amazed at how, one is supposed to, you know, GROW as a writer. That it gets harder, not easier, because you have to keep pushing yourself. I do have one POV that works for me. . . and now it's time to push a little bit -- and find, as you say, the POV that works best for the story. Posted by: Karen at January 17, 2005 07:34 AM The story of a girl trying to write some fiction. Recent Entries Einstein's Birthday Talk Good Editors Crazed Life Back in the Saddle E-mail Access! Japan. . . Writing What You Know Rewrites Writing Conflict Kyoto! Categories Book Writing Business of Writing Craft of Writing Day-to-Day Freelancing Magazine Writing When I'm Being Lame Writing Group Archives March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 October 2003 September 2003 Search Search this site: