Good cold morning from eastern North Carolina. The coffee pot is gurgling and I'm looking forward to editing/rewriting more of my latest project, The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood, a novel about lifelong friendship. Even though I have four novels published in the Logan Hunter Mystery series, and each one was challenging in some way, I struggled with Goose Parade for months and months, sometimes frustrated enough to walk away for a while.
I was trying to write Goose Parade in first-person point-of-view, like the Hunter series. But it just didn't work. I made posters of sections I wanted in the book. You know, the lessons learned from geese? So once I divided the book into Honk, Rotate, Drag, Uplift, and Protect, I thought I'd be home-free. HA!
I have learned that not only can I not force characters to do something in the book that's out of character for them, I can't force the plot either. One morning as I stared at the pages, my mind as blank as my billfold this time of year, it dawned on me that I can't tell this story in first person. I must tell the story of all four major characters in this book.
It truly amazes me at how much of a learning process EACH book becomes. I am once again enjoying the process and moving on with what I hope will be my best work yet.
Have you had a similar experience? Do you learn something new with each book you read/write? Please share you experiences in the comment section for a chance to win a free copy of Genesis Beach, my first novel.
I definitely learn from each book I read as well as write. I find the writer in me checking out the way other writers express themselves-especially if I get totally immersed in the story. That's magic to me and I want to know how to do it! Every time I write a new novel, I find I have improved in many ways from the previous novel. I think all writers evolve and improve this way. Good luck with the new book--may it be, as you hope, your best one yet :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. Every project teaches you something new. It's amazing how your writing changes over time,
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your editing, Susan!
P.S. - reading Hell Swamp right now and loving it. Thanks again!
I agree, Catherine, that I do learn so much from reading other writer's books too. Jonathan, I'm glad you're enjoying Hell Swamp. Yes, I think we get better over time and I hope that continues for a LONG time:-)
ReplyDeleteSusan when I sit down to read I use this time to enjoy the experience that I am about to go on. I don't want to tear apart another author's piece unless it does not make sense or they jump from POV to another POV and the plot, "Where's the plot," need I say more? Then the mind starts to distract a piece here and there and the next thing I'm doing is revamping the story if there appears to be a small substance. Okay, so I have gone as far as researching the author and like maybe dropping a note. Hey I did this once to Gloria Monte, who was at the time Head Executive Producer of a soap opera, you know she replied back with a thank you, the show was having a problem with continuity and it made me crazy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question and all of the other posts at your site. I'm enjoying them. Augie Hicks
Augie, I don't try to dissect a book unless, like you, I'm disturbed about something the author did or did not do, but I usually pick up on good techniques or a unique voice, character quality, or some other intriguing aspect of the book. And then there are those books that I put down and never pick up again. Thank you for your kind remarks. I hope you will continue to follow this blog.
ReplyDelete