I’ve been working feverishly on another novel that is scheduled to be released this month. My pace on that has put me further back than I’d like with Christine’s Odyssey, but the situation is what it is and so I’m making allowances for that. Fact is, it’s better to take time and have the book edited properly, than to put out a shoddy product.
In looking through the text last night, it surprised me that there are still references in there that come across as way more adult than the thoughts of a precocious eleven year old. I’m an advocate of getting inside each character’s head and being comfortable in his/her space. That’s the only way stories can be told so that they suck the reader in, giving a genuine experience.
It’s easy to miss these things. I say that because the book won an award in a creative writing competition in 2008 and has been read by more than twenty adults, including an education officer. I do indicate in the book that Christine is way more mature than she should be because of her home situation, but still…
I believe that each reviewer brings something different to the table, which is why I like having a wide segment of readers. The ideal situation would have been to have an eleven year old read the book, but the closest I’ve come is eighteen. It’s amazing how reluctant your children can be when you want them to give up some time to read something you’ve written. My son is a case in point.
Still, I’m not complaining too much. I’m writing another YA story, which he loves. He’s helping me with ideas for the final chapters and is getting cranky because I won’t come back to that particular book – other commitments and all, you understand.
For the final round of editing before that last read through of Christine’s story, I’ll be looking at language and how it is conveyed to the reader. I’ll also be asking at every turn if a young adult, even a really smart one would think in these terms. As adults, we can and do get carried away writing on our own terms. I’m aiming not to make that mistake.
Happy Holidays!
In looking through the text last night, it surprised me that there are still references in there that come across as way more adult than the thoughts of a precocious eleven year old. I’m an advocate of getting inside each character’s head and being comfortable in his/her space. That’s the only way stories can be told so that they suck the reader in, giving a genuine experience.
It’s easy to miss these things. I say that because the book won an award in a creative writing competition in 2008 and has been read by more than twenty adults, including an education officer. I do indicate in the book that Christine is way more mature than she should be because of her home situation, but still…
I believe that each reviewer brings something different to the table, which is why I like having a wide segment of readers. The ideal situation would have been to have an eleven year old read the book, but the closest I’ve come is eighteen. It’s amazing how reluctant your children can be when you want them to give up some time to read something you’ve written. My son is a case in point.
Still, I’m not complaining too much. I’m writing another YA story, which he loves. He’s helping me with ideas for the final chapters and is getting cranky because I won’t come back to that particular book – other commitments and all, you understand.
For the final round of editing before that last read through of Christine’s story, I’ll be looking at language and how it is conveyed to the reader. I’ll also be asking at every turn if a young adult, even a really smart one would think in these terms. As adults, we can and do get carried away writing on our own terms. I’m aiming not to make that mistake.
Happy Holidays!
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