I gave into the pressure. I did it. I took my third person omniscient story and started rewriting it in the first person. Why? Because people suggested it and it got me wondering. Because an agent said she didn’t like the narrative voice and it got me wondering. Because how could I say my way was the best way if I hadn’t tried it the other way. Because….
Anyway, I started it. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- We (as readers) are a lot closer to that ONE character now. We like her faster, we are interested in her struggles.
- Other characters are being forced (by me) to say things out loud. Things that they previously only thought about. Things that were too important to the story to lose. Some of these things my main character was blissfully unaware of in my first draft.
- My main character is a bit smarter. That was an accident of people telling her things, I think. I noticed it right around page 200…strange how it happened though.
- The dialogue still drives this story. I doesn’t seem to matter what point of view I’m writing in, the dialogue is staying revision after revision. It’s the meat of the story. I think that’s a good thing.
Here’s what I’m still wondering, and I guess only finishing the revision will tell:
- Do we lose the other characters? Do we sacrifice how well we knew them in order to know her better? Honestly, if we do, I’m not going to be okay with that. I love some of these minor characters.
- The sequel-yes, there’s a sequel already-is not really HER story. So what happens to that story when she was the one telling the other story? That’s a worry that makes my head spin if I focus on it too long.
I’ll keep you all posted on the progress and my final thoughts as this revision comes to an end! If any of you have played around with point of view I’d love to hear about your experience.