So a while back I share the beginning chapters of a story with a couple other writers. Their feedback: add a romantic interest. It isn't enough that the main character agrees to wed a tempestuous god to save her family. She needs to leave a boy behind. Amps up the conflict.
Being a novice writer full of insecurities, I ignore my instincts and insert a third major character into my WIP. But new readers ask why he's barely mentioned.
Then it hits me. This guy isn't fleshed out because he doesn't fit the story I want to write.
It's funny how it all comes down to trusting your gut.
I wonder how many other writers have ever changed a story based on feedback and then returned to their original version. Have you?
June 14, 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Yes, I have. I think you have to listen to all sides, but in the end if you feel it adds to your story or doesn't you have to listen to your gut.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any major revisions I've made based on outside feedback but I know I prevent myself from trusting my gut by second guessing myself all the time. But if you can't listen to what your story wants to say why tell it?
ReplyDeleteLadonna: True enough. I do appreciate when readers point out things they feel are lacking, but it's my story and I need to remember that it's okay to stick with the original plan.
ReplyDeleteTaryn: Oh, the curse of second guessing. I hope the more we write, the more we'll let the story we envision come through.
I believe feedback from others is very important, but in the end, you have to trust yourself. If it's something you REALLY believe in, not to quote Tim Gunn, but MAKE IT WORK! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo -- Hilary
Hilary: Yes, feedback is crucial. We need those extra eyes. It takes time to get a sense of yourself as a writer, I think, but once you do, you'll be at that point where you can make anything work if you believe in strongly enough. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very real test--knowing when to take advice and when to leave it. Sometimes you do just have to go with your gut. It's your story, after all.
ReplyDeleteElle: Sometimes it takes trying things other ways to discover your idea was the best after all.
ReplyDeleteYou know, trusting your gut instinct is fantastic advice for all situations. I've swallowed doubt and those tingly feelings of something's not right --- and ultimately wish I had paid attention.
ReplyDeleteStephanie: I know! Sometimes I wonder what it will take for me to trust my instincts the very first time. This may be my bias, but it seems to be more common in women than men. Or perhaps men just don't own up to it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMe, me! I did that. Rewrote my entire first novel based on the input of a mentor for whom I had great respect. Only at the end did I realize I'd written a book about a woman and her student instead of three college friends twenty-years later. Hated the book and ended up rewriting the whole thing. It's very important to trust our gut instincts.
ReplyDeleteAnd while it's true that tried and true trope story lines will add conflict, who cares? Conflict should be organic to the stories we are trying to tell, not thrown in like extra cheese on a pizza.
VR: t's hard to ignore input when it comes from someone you admire, but, yes, we have to be true to the story. If it doesn't have enough conflict as is, we need to fix that during revisions. Glad to have you back!
ReplyDelete