I am currently changing the pov of my middle grade novel from first to third. When I wrote the first draft it was in first person. I was sure that is where it needed to stay because Cricket’s voice (chirp?lol) needed to shine through. It was not shining, though. It was at a dull roar-actually not even that. It was dull in spots, forced in others--imo. And Cricket is anything but dull and forced. Not even when she’s trying to be the opposite of who she is.
So, when I read the following article (and I will be reading all Ingrid’s others about POV) I realized that I did have a case of first person limiting the story in ways that buried Cricket’s personality. Odd, but true---and I swear on a stack of Cricket’s Lists for Self Improvement. (hmmm, possibly a new title for the book, what do you think? That kind of popped out of nowhere, have to love the creative process!)
Six Limitations of the First Person POV « Ingrid's Notes
As I’ve been re-working Cricket’s story (she just underwent a name change so I am using it as much as possible so that my muse listens and uses it too, so...Cricket, Cricket, Cricket) I’ve been reading SAVE THE CAT and other articles on writing screenplays. LIFE AS A TO-DO LIST (or now I am thinking Cricket’s Lists for...?) is not a screenplay, but I really like that story structure. As I was reading what Blake Snyder said I kept having these “whoa, that is how my brain works” moments. And there is the beauty of having done this for a few years now. I finally get that you can take and choose from different processes to craft a story. It really is a mix and match for me. So, for those of you mixing and matching and looking for other methods to write story (or the particular story you are working on, because even that can change from book to book, imo)---screenplays, movie structure is something worth looking at. Check out this post from R.L. LeFevers :
Save the Cat!® » Blog Archive » The Blake Snyder Beat Sheet: A Bridge to Story
Syd Field has a blog you might also like to check out. So, rather one writing read for you look at---it’s a whole bunch of them!
Screenwriting Blog: Screenwriter's Corner by Syd Field
NOTE to my local peeps. I have Syd Field’s The Screenwriter's Workbook if you’d like to have a look, borrow it. I also have his book called Writing the Screen Play. Hmmmm, but that one is on my Kindle. Now, you know I love ’n’ adore you guys, but I am not lending you my Kindle :P On the other hand? if you wanted to borrow it-----you know I would.
Giveaways---they are mine and all are International.
Just Deb: Book Giveaway and Interview-Danika Dinsmore
Just Deb: It's a BlogoVersary Carnival!
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Wow changing the whole POV AND the main character's name? That's quite a revision. Wow. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your revisions. I went from third person to first person because I didn't feel like my MC's voice came through enough with third. It all depends on the story and the MC and what works best for them.
ReplyDeleteLiana...thanks! Yeah these are huge changes, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteKelly...you are so, so right. I think what was really holding me back (it took a looooong time to make this decision) was I _love_ reading first person because of how the character voice shines through. But in my books case I lost sight of the _story_ . So yes! It's the story and the mc. Good luck with your book!