Thinking in third
I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing with my WIP. I’m changing the entire manuscript from first person to third person. And, as you can imagine, this entails much more than a Find and Replace function for “I” that spans hundreds of pages. It means reworking each sentence and paragraph. It means rethinking the flow and the structure. And for me it means putting myself on the shoulder of the narrator to see what she sees. It’s a precarious position, thinking in third and balancing on the shoulder of one or more of your characters.
Right now I’m working with a limited third person POV. I don’t know if it will evolve to more than that – it’s really working. I’ll be honest. To me, it sings. This was the way it was meant to be written and knowing that is both a relief and a headache. I have a lot of work ahead of me – and it’s exciting. I wish I was someone who could write through the night. But I can’t. I don’t want to temper my enthusiasm but there are lunches to make, workouts to curse through, clothes to fold and “real” deadlines to meet.
So, since I know the direction I’m heading I’ve started to leave my doc open on my laptop and pop back to it in between everything else throughout the day and night — like a commercial break that benefits ME!
It’s nice to find direction and get into a groove. Even if it means I have my work cut out for me!
How’s your writing groove lately?
What made you decide to change the POV? Just curious…
And be ever-so-careful about leaving something open on your screen. I found that I had inadvertently hit a key way too many times and then saved it. Oops!
Keep groovin’, Amy, that’s great! I understand it to be a daunting task, the changing POV, but kudos to you for doing what makes the story better.
My groove is good, too! It feels good.
Yep, lots of work, but you’ll be happy with the finished ms.
I’m stalled on revisions. Life has barged all the way in the door. But at least I know what all needs doing when I get back to it…and yeah, it is daunting.
Write on!
Whoo! You go girl! That is one major editing decision you’ve made, and if it’s working, then you know it was the right one.
My groove depends upon the day…LOL! Today was a good one, 2000 words! Last few days…not so much. I take them where I can get them!
Congrats on the decision and the ooomph to get it done!
That’s so exciting that you’re excited! I’ve never switched the POV of a story, but I do like close third. Good luck!