So I’m back to the Shrek soundtrack and Mary Chapin Carpenter, the music for Miss Lonely Hearts. I figured out what needs to change and where and how, and now it’s just a matter of getting it all done. The figuring it out was the hard part; I spent the last year trying to do that and I only wish I was exaggerating. If I hadn’t finally put it aside around June and worked on other things, coming back to it in between, I would have nothing but a giant headache to show for the last year.
I have learned so many things from this process. At the top of the list would be, if you ever want to make a royal (and almost unsalvageable) mess of a book, try very hard to fight your voice and NOT write the way you write. Because that’s what I did for the first 30K of this book, and while the story is in there, it’s buried and nearly obliterated.
The good news is, I don’t fight my voice anymore. Fighting my voice led to me quitting writing altogether for a good long time because I just couldn’t get around the brick wall tht resulted in. I write the way I write, and as long as I keep doing that, I won’t ever create another multi-headed monster of a book like this. (Cut one head off, two more spring up in its place kind of monster)
It’s a hard thing for any writer to go through. I’m just glad that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Fighting your own unique voice will lead to all kinds of monsters. Then you’ll just have to create the perfect hero to fight them. 🙂
Oh, is that all I need? The perfect hero? Revision Man, able to save bad scenes with a slash of his mighty red…pen!
Yep, you do have to go with what works for you, what your strengths are. Because you really can’t change them.
I learned that lesson about voice last year as well, and it was a bear. And it was a good time to read your blog, since I’ve had the same urge with my current bout of insecurities about my paranormal, thinking the voice is too category, not edgy enough, etc no one’s gonna want it, I should change it all, wahhhh. LOL :dizzy: But this was a good reminder to stay put and just write as I write. It’s gotten me this far…thanks, Charli.
Sam
You’re welcome, Sam. Stay with your voice, it’s who you are. And hey, I want to read your paranormal. I can’t be the only one, either.