Processed Cheese Wiz
In writing there is a lot of talk about one's process. Some try to define it terms of plotting techniques- like plotter vs. pantzer. But there is much more to it than that.
For me, it is very loose, very organic, and very unpredictable. For instance- I thought my first YA book (The GH entry) was done and put to rest. But, well, no.... I got some wonderful feedback on it and apparently the MC is too charismatic and wonderful and deep, that the shifts to 3rd person in some parts really upset the reader. Personally, I think the 3rd POV's are good- but hey, I know the 1st POV MC is better... so I understand that it is jolting (I kind of knew it might be)- and perhaps a little alien landing in the 4th chapter instead of the 14th (I had the aliens land in the 4th to avoid the 14th landing being too shocking, but I guess I didn't fool anyone- oops!). At first I was a little indignant about making changes, and came up with reasons why to keep it as is- but realized they were all good reasons, but not the right ones.
Then I started thinking- okay, if all this goes- what does that mean for the plot- where does that leave me? Well, it actually leaves me in much the same place as I started- just minus all the cheap gimmicks.
SO- now it is major re-write time. Luckily all the parts that have to go lift out easy enough since they aren't in the MC POV. The paranormal aspect is now gone, but not forgotten, because if it weren't for the paranormal aspect I would never have been so brilliant as to come up with such an interesting and dysfunctional coping method for the MC. In fact I wonder if I can even take credit for that.
Anyway- it is very cool to experience how this process morphed itself... with a little help. I mean, one minute you think you've got a pretty good thing and the next you've hit an even higher plateau. So anyone out there who thinks there book sux, don't fear- it doesn't suck, it just isn't finished yet :-P
For me, it is very loose, very organic, and very unpredictable. For instance- I thought my first YA book (The GH entry) was done and put to rest. But, well, no.... I got some wonderful feedback on it and apparently the MC is too charismatic and wonderful and deep, that the shifts to 3rd person in some parts really upset the reader. Personally, I think the 3rd POV's are good- but hey, I know the 1st POV MC is better... so I understand that it is jolting (I kind of knew it might be)- and perhaps a little alien landing in the 4th chapter instead of the 14th (I had the aliens land in the 4th to avoid the 14th landing being too shocking, but I guess I didn't fool anyone- oops!). At first I was a little indignant about making changes, and came up with reasons why to keep it as is- but realized they were all good reasons, but not the right ones.
Then I started thinking- okay, if all this goes- what does that mean for the plot- where does that leave me? Well, it actually leaves me in much the same place as I started- just minus all the cheap gimmicks.
SO- now it is major re-write time. Luckily all the parts that have to go lift out easy enough since they aren't in the MC POV. The paranormal aspect is now gone, but not forgotten, because if it weren't for the paranormal aspect I would never have been so brilliant as to come up with such an interesting and dysfunctional coping method for the MC. In fact I wonder if I can even take credit for that.
Anyway- it is very cool to experience how this process morphed itself... with a little help. I mean, one minute you think you've got a pretty good thing and the next you've hit an even higher plateau. So anyone out there who thinks there book sux, don't fear- it doesn't suck, it just isn't finished yet :-P
posted by wilddunz at 8:24 AM
2 Comments:
I'm wrestling with something similar right now (if I understand what you're saying) in two different books. I've lost all perspective and can no longer tell if what I'm doing is fresh or tried-to-death/gimmicky.
I think I'm too close two both stories at the moment to get a clear picture of the problems, but what am I supposed to do if I set them aside? I can't very well start ANOTHER one with one in the second draft stage and one only half-way written...
I never have a very good perspective- except perhaps at the very initial concept stage (then I think it is genius!)
I go through the roller coaster of it sux-it rocks-it sux-it rocks
I am starting to trust it (the process) more, though. It is kind of like doing one those Soduko (sp?) puzzles- you cook along and then there is a point when you can't figure out anything, then however many minutes later it shows itself and you're cooking along again. But I'm addicted to the puzzles, so it stands to reason that I get a perverse pleasure out of being stumped and finding my way out.
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