I'm a firm believer in signs - coincidences are not merely random events, but suggestions put forth by the universe. Now, some of these suggestions are usually cryptic and fly right over my head, until I have perfect hindsight and slap my forehead in understanding. Others are so blatantly obvious if I didn't take note and act, I would kick myself for years to come.
Such signs are flashing neon above my head these days. I spoke last week of my decision to revisit Lady Bells. I was inspired by the story of Stephen Parrish and his endless re-writes on a project he believed in with all his heart (the link is in my post "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back"). Yesterday, Alannah Lynne guest blogged on Plotmonkeys about her bevy of rewrites on a story she believed in. Another sign pointing me in the direction of a rewrite.
Well, I began that re-write last night. Karyn is expecting an e-mail with the first 50 pages - and I can't give it to her because I feel like I'm going in circles. Before, my rewrites of Lady Bells have been reworking the same ingredients. All the stuff in the pot, just stirred counter clockwise, instead of clockwise. And that's what I started with, again. But something doesn't feel right. Something is missing.
Here are the things I think it could be:
My Voice - since writing blogposts for Prairie Chicks, starting up and writing every day here on the Journal, and working on short and contemporary fiction, I think I've found my voice - that element that makes my writing unique. When I read Lady Bells, I don't hear that voice. But how do I infuse a medieval murder mystery with my off the wall, quirky humor?
Lady Bells' Conflict - She needs to have an element of fear when it comes to her new husband. Right now, all I've got is that she believes, from his actions, that he is exactly like her father. Not enough, in my opinion, to keep her at the distance she needs to be in order for all the plot threads to work. And what is there can be 'fixed' with a simple conversation - you know what they say about that type of conflict!
The First 50 Pages - I read this thing and as soon as I get past those first 50 pages, into the meat of the story where she slowly discovers all is not right in her new home and her husband is hiding some really nasty secret from her, I love it. It moves along at a good clip, has some awesome sexual tension, and the subplots all make perfect sense. Those first 50 pages - meh!
Hugh's Character Flaw - He stalked a young woman right after he negotiated for Lady Bells' hand in marriage. OK, the young woman was Lady Bells, but he didn't know that. It eats at him, the resemblance to his father's infidelity, but it's there and may not come be the perfect light for a hero starting out in his marriage. Back in the day (medieval day, that is) this would not be an issue. Today, in a romance novel, it is.
Help! Help! Help! Perhaps the Universe could send another sign - just one more. Afterall, that would make three and you now what they say about things happening in threes!
Question for you, People of Blogland - would you read a medieval romance with a quirky heroine who gets drunk in the first 50 chapters, makes the assumption her husband is a womanizer and it will be just a matter of time before she's left in the role of dutiful wife and mother, and fears getting close to him because he's just like her father? Oh, and one more - do you believe in signs?
Hi there,
ReplyDeletewould you be interested in writing for us?
Check out our page : Downrightfiction.blogspot.com
Thanks for your time!
Oh hellayes! Have you considered starting the book on page 51? Work in the stalking, her reflections on her father, etc. at appropriate times later in the book? If not, definitely have her get tipsy. That's so 'out of time' but I suspect happened more than history relates. Your voice is so wonderful and unique I'm sure it'll fit wonderfully in Lady Bells.
ReplyDeleteHave you read any of Karin Tabke's medieval romances? The Blood Sword Legacy series? Her heroines are quite atypical and yet still believable.
Now...those pesky signs, coincidences, or as some call them, God winks? I think I did a post on the winks that led me to my first contract. If I haven't, I should. It's an interesting bit of how I got from there to here. However, speaking from experience? Listen to them when they whisper in your ear. Just sayin'!
God winks. What a perfect way to describe signs. Which, as you know, I believe in wholeheartedly, and which I've always read with ease. I'm a very symbolic person by nature.
ReplyDeleteThe scene from Bruce Almighty when he's behind a truck filled with signs which are clearly meant for him, and he laments, 'Can't you give me a sign?' is hysterical. I'm quite certain if more people stopped for two seconds and listened or watched carefully, they would begin to see all sorts of signs meant for them.
And as for your revisions - Silver James comment is right on. Start at page 51. Problem solved. Consider the first 50 pages as backstory which you had to work out in order to tell the story.
Can't wait to read it! Mine will be along later today.
ReplyDeleteGod winks. I like that, too!
Hey, Downright Fiction - now that's the perfect way to start a morning! I can't access your blog, and I know others will want to after they see your post. Hopefully, I'll be able to check you out soon :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and reminding me now that I've revamped my blog and taken down the link to my Blogger profile, I better get a contact page up!
Silver - I think you need to either compose that post ASAP so I can read it, or direct me to where it is so I can read it! I'd love to know the story behind your first contract (those stories are at the top of my list, right beside writing processes, when I talk to authors/writers).
ReplyDeleteI've read Karin's other stuff, but not her medievals - will have to search those out. And from both you and Julia, maybe I need to look at page 51. I know you did a major cut to SOTW - 8 chapters, was it? I think my major problem is I don't want to give up those scenes - I know, I know, kill your darlings. *sigh* Back to the drawing board...
Love that "God winks", perfect for those signs that most of us need to pay more attention to :)
Hey, Julia - I loved Bruce Almighty! Funny how we go about our day and pass by all the signs meant for us without even batting an eye. And, really, hindsight is 20/20. Somedays I think I'm getting better at reading the signs - or am more in tune with discovering the reasons people cross my path - but, like you said, you need to slow down and listen!
ReplyDeletePage 51 - right. That would definitely get me to the heart of the conflict that much sooner. And that may just be what I need to get this book off the ground. Thanks, Julia.
Hey, Karyn - yeah, I think I may be re-doing what I sent to you. You know, starting at page 51. *sigh*.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to getting yours :)
Hell yes I would read something like that. You know I love flaws and issues, and when a medieval historical setting spells Women As Second Class!! so loudly, I like some assurance a heroine isn't going to oblige that crap :)
ReplyDeleteAt the very least I can speak to the rewriting camp.. if things don't feel right, axe them. It may hurt and suck and be frustrating, but you've worked at this story enough to know that shining gem in there of what you want the book to be. Anything that doesn't feel like it measures up, kill it, cut it, or rip it out and put in something that's worthy. If you feel your voice won't blend with Lady Bells' character, perhaps you need to work on her more, break her out of the restraints of society and then figure out how it makes sense for her to act that way without being a modern woman crammed into a historical story.
When I originally began my rewrite I had to work at getting out of the assumptions I originally had, and finding new options along the way. I wound up jumping from my opening scene, which I loved (but was greatly rewritten), straight to something several chapters later, and moved the location of all of it. From there, I just kept going with whatever felt necessary, which often included original scenes I'd written or at least the kernels of them, just in better placement. I also barely reread my original draft as I went. I found whenever I did go reread a scene, I got stuck just repeating myself in different ways rather than advancing and fleshing things out.
It may not be what you do for the whole thing, but I say throw the whole manuscript out the window for the moment (you can go pick it off the grass later if you need to) and write fresh with the ideas in mind, rather than the plot in mind. See what happens, and get a feel for when things are clicking and truly feeling like the story you're trying to excavate.
Yeah. What Hayley said! LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd you got it, kiddo. I'll do my god winks post for tomorrow. :D
God, I hope it doesn't snow before I go and collect all those papers on my lawn, Hayley ;)
ReplyDeleteI bow down to you and your patience (see tomorrow's inspirational quotes) with the re-writing of Eventide! I feel as if the task before me is so gigantic - the climb up that same mountain only with different gear, on a different path, so overwhelming. But I understand totally what you're saying - there is a gem in there, I believe in this story (it's unique and my plot is solid) and Lady Bells deserves her day in the sun (after torturing her, of course).
I will (*right hand raised, left hand resting lovingly upon keyboard, typing with two fingers*) rip, cut, kill all scenes that drag the story into 'meh' land. And I will (*hand still raised) rewrite Lady Bells in my voice.
Whew - can I swear now?
Ooh, looking forward to it, Silver! I'll be there with my coffee first thing :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I started a comment then obviously hit the wrong key because it disappeared and the comment count changed, but now I don't see it so.... I'll just finish it on the presumption that it will show up later.
ReplyDeleteJanet, have you tried writing this story in first person? I know that presents a challenge with respect to other characters (unless, of course, you switch to their pov in first person, too) yet I suggest that because I think you may find your voice comes through clearly and you can always rewrite it later in third person if you find the story fits better that way.
Molli! Great to 'see' you :) Your comment is wandering around aimlessly in cyberspace - it's definitely not here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've thought about first person. In fact, I rewrote the beginning in first person and then switche it all back to third in an effort to get deeper into Mena's POV. But, I still think I was just stirring the pot, moving the ingredients around, coming up with the same old soup.
I think I will use first person to get started (you know, on page 51), just to get into the swing of Lady Bells, immersed fully into the overhaul (no longer calling it a revision). I'll keep you posted - you never know, I might like it so much, I stick with it.
Thanks for coming by - hope all is well with you and yours.
Ok, I didn't thoroughly read all the comments - I've got limited time here but, maybe you could do something like what Ashlynn is doing(Kira). She is rewriting one of her first stories from scratch. She knows what's important and she knows what the timeline is so she's basically using her first draft as a summary or as reference. Then she's sitting down and working out all the plot problems, character motivations etc.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a bit brief and probably not helpful but I've gotta run :(
For what it's worth, here's the gist of the first part of my comment, aka the part that's gone astray. Do you remember when I said you should consider writing Lady Bells as medieval chick lit? I still think it's a good idea, and you could have some fun with it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with both Silver and Hayley, and I see from your replies that you're going to start on page 51 and throw out all the "meh" stuff. You gotta be cruel to be kind, hmmm?
I'll check back from time to time and look forward to hearing about the overhaul. Take care...
I'm glad you could drop by, ban - even if it's just for a minute or two.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been following Ashlynne's progress over on her blog and her determination to rewrite that first manuscript (oh, is that the third sign and I missed it? Really? It just came to me this instance! Oh, crap! Thanks, ban).
I'll be back with Ashlynne's blog address - it's in my Google Reader and I can't access that while I'm commenting.
I have goosebumps...
OK - Ashlynn (I apologize for misspelling your name) has just announced her first contract (WOO HOO) and is now reworking her very first manuscript in the hopes of getting that published, too. Here's her blog address for anyone wanting to go have a look-see :)
ReplyDeleteAshlynn Pearce
Molli - you don't know how many times I've thought about that conversation! And continue to question a medieval chick lit take on Lady Bells. I think as I become more aware of my 'voice', I know deep down in my soul that I have to write Lady Bells from that perspective. It's a little scary - medieval/historical romances are what I cut my teeth on - and they were definitely NOT chick lit in any sense of the tone!
ReplyDeleteBut 'go big or go home', right? Thanks for coming back and reminding me, again, about that discussion. At St. Pete's - ah, good times ;)
Hey, I don't know how much I can add to all the insightful comments already here for you. But when I read your post, I remembered something an instructor of mine said about his long years as an editor -- even established authors would send in manuscripts that should have started about 50 pages in!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've accepted the assignment. Good luck!
And, yes, I believe in signs! You've heard about the man on the roof of his house in a flood? The water kept rising, but he let a man on a log, and some other offer for help to go by, because he believed God was going to rescue him. When he got to heaven, he asked God why he didn't, and God told him he sent a man on a log, etc. etc., but "you chose to ignore my signs."
ReplyDelete(That's a rather loose version of the story, but makes the point that we have to be careful not to ignore what could be a crucial sign.)
Hey, Hazel - yes, I love that parable about the man and the flood. I'm surprised I didn't reference it, I think I have over on The Prairie many times!
ReplyDeleteAssignment kept me up all night - figuring out where to start the story now that I've decided the start line has to move. All of the comments have been so helpful - mostly, just hearing that there are readers out there who would read something a little out of the ordinary when it comes to medieval romance. And, of course, the ideas are flying and my paper is filled with scibbles. Renewed energy!
Thanks for taking the time to add to the voices. Hope all is well for you and you're getting back into a writing routine :)