- Joined
- Jul 15, 2006
- Messages
- 155
- Reaction score
- 11
Hello,
I'm nearly finished with my book and I've been stepping back ocassionaly to get an overall impression of the book (as best I can without leaving the book sit for a long time and coming back to it *I will, just not right this instant*)
I've noticed a kind of interesting trend in it that seems to really flow with the overall character but I also wonder if it's a product of becoming a better writer (or to be honest, maybe bored with the story).
When the story starts out the main character has a tendancy to see things through this depression filter, not to say that he's some kind of 'slit your wrists' type but everything is dark and forboding. Just the way he sees things. (This was intentional) but as I got closer to the end I've noticed a pretty subtle but drastic change in the way his character is narrated. Where things used to be 'slow' (he'd go as far as to see details but they were more like 'oh. . . a blue rose. . . With pedals and thorns and stuff.' but now it's more like 'A blue rose, cute.'
I really don't know how to accurately portray the change that this manuscript has gone through but I guess it would be fair to say that it was something like watching a bull- the gate opens slowly but the ride after that is furious.
Unfortunately this 'furious' kick starts somewhere in the 14th chapter, about 1/3rd away from the end. Not saying the book isn't interesting but I'm kind of concerned that maybe it seems like I was rushing things, that I just wanted to get it done. I've read a lot of books like that and it really gives me a bad feeling in my stomach or I'd simply attribute it to 'okay thats fine, it fits the character (which it does.) but lets tweak the rest of the book to be that way. . .'
I think it's an awesome mechanisim for the character's arc, several others have similar arcs but not the core belief change that happens with him, given a new lease on life despite all this adversity. I think it's actually kindda beautiful (in a rugged, manly way. . . yeah.
)
Meh, I'm sorry for rambling but it's hard to simply pass it off as learning because I love my characters and my story. So I guess my question ultimately is this:
Are you put off when you pick up a book and it reads like someone (basicly) splattered the prose on the page (however well it might read) or does having that kind of carnal intimicy with the protagonist pull you in and make you care?
I know for me it's the feeling of being that character, to feel their actions translate into something tangible (both inside and out) and ultimately to feel and know that the author put time into their craft. . . I dunno, that's just me.
I'm nearly finished with my book and I've been stepping back ocassionaly to get an overall impression of the book (as best I can without leaving the book sit for a long time and coming back to it *I will, just not right this instant*)
I've noticed a kind of interesting trend in it that seems to really flow with the overall character but I also wonder if it's a product of becoming a better writer (or to be honest, maybe bored with the story).
When the story starts out the main character has a tendancy to see things through this depression filter, not to say that he's some kind of 'slit your wrists' type but everything is dark and forboding. Just the way he sees things. (This was intentional) but as I got closer to the end I've noticed a pretty subtle but drastic change in the way his character is narrated. Where things used to be 'slow' (he'd go as far as to see details but they were more like 'oh. . . a blue rose. . . With pedals and thorns and stuff.' but now it's more like 'A blue rose, cute.'
I really don't know how to accurately portray the change that this manuscript has gone through but I guess it would be fair to say that it was something like watching a bull- the gate opens slowly but the ride after that is furious.
Unfortunately this 'furious' kick starts somewhere in the 14th chapter, about 1/3rd away from the end. Not saying the book isn't interesting but I'm kind of concerned that maybe it seems like I was rushing things, that I just wanted to get it done. I've read a lot of books like that and it really gives me a bad feeling in my stomach or I'd simply attribute it to 'okay thats fine, it fits the character (which it does.) but lets tweak the rest of the book to be that way. . .'
I think it's an awesome mechanisim for the character's arc, several others have similar arcs but not the core belief change that happens with him, given a new lease on life despite all this adversity. I think it's actually kindda beautiful (in a rugged, manly way. . . yeah.
)Meh, I'm sorry for rambling but it's hard to simply pass it off as learning because I love my characters and my story. So I guess my question ultimately is this:
Are you put off when you pick up a book and it reads like someone (basicly) splattered the prose on the page (however well it might read) or does having that kind of carnal intimicy with the protagonist pull you in and make you care?
I know for me it's the feeling of being that character, to feel their actions translate into something tangible (both inside and out) and ultimately to feel and know that the author put time into their craft. . . I dunno, that's just me.
