Dear Internal Editor, LEAVE ME ALONE….for now
As I wrote the last few words for Chapter 25, I realized the point of view was all wrong. When the thought popped into my head, I had to use every inch of willpower to keep writing. My instincts told me to start from the beginning and fix it, to drop the story and go back…..again. I thought I put away that pesky internal editor. Turns out, she was only being quiet, saving her voice to yell at me when she felt the need.
Apparently, this silencing-the-editor technique is proving to be tougher for me than it is for others. For the record, I DID put my fingers in my ears (metaphorically because I had to keep typing) and finished the chapter. I defiantly started Chapter 26 to REALLY piss her off. Ha! I call that a victory.
How did the battle, that I WON, begin? Chapter 25 is written in the point of view of Gregor, a side character who is quickly becoming more important as I continue the tale. My protagonist, Princess Talia, has been weirdly silent. I need the reader to feel for Talia and her conflict in order to create the poignancy I am going for. If I consistently portray the story from the eyes of outlying characters, I’m afraid the reader will not see the Princess the way I do. The way that made me finally sit down and tell her story.
I understand that I will have to go back and edit the chapter’s point of view during the first revision. Odds are number 25 will not be the only piece to get chopped apart. It’s all part of the process or so I’m told. Back to the clickety click.
My recommendation for your reading pleasure is Paradise Lost by John Milton. (Could not have told you his first name to save my life, but it was written on the cover.) Admittedly, I have only read Book One. I should probably fix that gap in my mental library. Milton illustrates the classic tale of a distant father and a rebellious son who jealously covets his father’s attention. Milton wrote this epic poem to show the grandeur of the Almighty and to prove that his plan was justified. To his horror, the readers found empathy with Satan, finding God to be aloof and unreachable. The work is a fascinating glimpse into how the educated men of the late 17th century viewed the creation of the world.
Read more books!
It’s tough Kelley, but it’s worth it to press on.
This is why it’s key to note the order you’re writing things. You note the change, write on forward assuming the change, and then only have to tackle the previous chapters.
Which story are these characters from?
Thank you, Helen. I will keep chugging along. These characters are from my fantasy novel. Soon to be, my first completed book.