A dilemma
My friends, I am facing a dilemma.
You may or may not know that I wrote a Regency story a while ago. I absolutely loved it, and I still love the characters in it. I like many aspects of the plot. I know what I would change about said plot. I know what I want the characters to be like at the start and at the end of the book.
However, I also have new and exciting ideas about how I could change the plot drastically and rewrite the characters into a different story. I don't know what to do! I've been working on versions of this book for about four years because I want to get it right. Maybe the fact that I haven't got it right yet is a sign the plot is old and worn and tired. Yet I really, really want to get it right one time and enjoy reading through it.
The thing is, I've tried out these ideas and I've got rather stuck every single time. I thought I would see if any of my fellow writers have ever felt like this and what they have done. I can't be alone in this feeling - should I take my not getting anywhere as a journey of discovery or a brick wall?
I love the characters so much! I love the romance (or I will do once I've reworked it very slightly). I have thought of ways to deepen some of the characters and add some subplots, not for the sake of it, but because I like the characters. I've thought of some insecurities and weaknesses for a character who needed them. I've thought of ways to smooth lumps and bumps in the plot.
I only have two problems. The first - the heroine seems to be a bit boring and flat. I need her to be someone the readers can root for like a real person.
The second - rewriting for the umpteenth time seems like I'm making myself run on the spot.
What to do, friends?
So, if you want a female character who is considered a heroine, then put her in a situation that calls her to be that. And it doesn't have to be anything big. Standing up for somebody, parting with a prized possession, leaving her home, overcoming personal flaws such as shyness, judgmental attitude, indifference.
ReplyDeleteThat's really helpful, thank you - and thank you for commenting!
DeleteOh dear...I know this feeling! I'm reminded strongly of a post I wrote a long time ago, talking about how I was on my third iteration of the same story.
ReplyDelete...which probably doesn't make me the most qualified person to help. Whoops.
Well, I'll take a whack at it anyway. :D I've heard the suggestion of trying to rewrite something you're stuck on through a different character's eyes, switching from first person to third person or vice versa, &c., so maybe that could help. I also find it helpful sometimes to really focus on the characters themselves, almost to the exclusion of the plot - just keep asking yourself "what would the characters do now?" and go with that, without worrying too much about whether that's moving the plot in the direction you'd like.
Hopefully that's kind of sort of helpful!
Oh, no, it's really nice to hear from people in the same boat! I've actually been using your suggestion about sort of asking what the characters would do over the past few days and it's working extraordinarily well!! So thank you very much! I might just share some with you if I get it typed out! :D
DeleteOh, that's wonderful to hear! And yes, by all means do send some along once it's ready :D
DeleteLate again :O :(
ReplyDeleteI think we writers really have to pay attention to our intuition! If you're passionate about this story *now*, I really think you should strike while the iron's hot and play around with this story to your heart's content. But sometimes stories do need a little time to simmer, too. I don't think there's a "right" choice, but passion is a gift, and it sounds like you've got a definite direction, so I would recommend you take advantage of that combination. But that's just my two cents :) I wish you all the best in your writing adventures! <3
Thank you, Ruth! I've been giving it a stab over the past few days and it's going well for now, so that's really nice. Thank you for your encouragement!
DeleteOoh, what sorts of things do you like to write? I realise I've never asked!
Hi Cecilia!
ReplyDeleteOh dear... This dilemma seems all too familiar to me, lol. I had this happen with a story I was writing once upon a time...
My first piece of advice is actually something my mom taught me - when struggling with a problem in writing, math, etc, take a break and walk away. I did this with my story and worked on something else for a bit. Then, when I came back to my story, I had a fresh mind and only did a chapter rewrite at a time. That really helped with not becoming overly stressed.
For your issue concerning the heroine... Pinterest boards are a great way to capture ideas for your heroine so that she can be less boring and flat. :)
I hope this helps - you got this!!
Hi Liz!
DeleteI took your suggestion and created some Pinterest boards for the different characters, and it's been a great help! Heh, getting overly stressed about writing is very relatable. For something that's supposed to be fun, it's surprisingly stressful sometimes, isn't it?!
Thank you so much :D
I'm afraid I'm new enough at writing stories that I've never been in a similar situation yet myself, (though it does sound very broadening to the skillset, working through a dilemma like this one,) and so have been holding off commenting because nothing at all helpful to say has been occurring to me... Which it still hasn't, but these are very wise tips everyone has been sharing, here's hoping they turn out to be exactly what your story needed to breathe new life into it :) I may collect their advice too just in case I shall come to need it sometime!
ReplyDeleteOh, but it's lovely to hear from you anyway, Emi! They have actually been very helpful tips, so I would recommend them :D
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