Should I rethink the chapter order of my novel?

EriRae · Jun 27, 2007

I'm in the process of submitting to agents, not a good time to have this crazy horrible dread that I should have done this before I finished my query letter...

I was just writing about my MC on another thread, and it reminded me that the first time he's the voice of the novel is chapter 8, about 100 pages in. Chapter 8 answers several questions about his past, like how he ended up in MN vs. TN (running away from his father), why he thinks he is the next Adolf Hitler (his father raised him to believe that--when he wasn't beating the s**t out of him) and opens the possibility that his sexuality isn't as firmly hetero as the other four pov's would have you believe. Because it answers so many questions and shows the path to the rest of the novel, I left it where it is.

Here's the twist...this is the best chapter I've ever written. EVER. The climax of the novel comes close, but this chapter made me feel like I'd MADE IT, like I had to finish this novel because it was worthy. I'm not saying that the rest of the novel is crap--far from it--but this chapter is character-driven and thoughtful, while the rest of the novel is fast, action-packed, and fun. I should probably also mention that chapter 8 begins with a dream sequence and is mostly flashback...(I know, I know, I know...but it's GOOD!)

My self-esteem is really low now anyway (11 queries, 7 partials, 7 rejections, no calls...) so when I'm not working on my 2nd novel, I'm freaking. Would you rethink the order, or leave it where it is? Have you ever had a similar situation? (Or any ways to cope with this insane need to rethink what you've already submitted?)

Doug Johnson · Jun 27, 2007

If you want to be published, you need more than two chapters you believe in. IMHO, start over. The agents will still be there when you finish. They'll still be looking for an excellent novel.

EriRae · Jun 27, 2007

Doug Johnson said:
If you want to be published, you need more than two chapters you believe in.

I don't want to give the impression that I don't believe in the rest of the novel. That's not what I'm saying. On a scale of 1-10, chapters 1-7 and 9-26 and 28 are a 9.5. Chapter 24 is 9.7. Chapter 27 (climax) is 9.9 and Chapter 8 is a perfect 10. It's an entity in and of itself and would work as a short story, yet it transitions the novel from how the MC is perceived to how he's faking it. It's my Faulkner moment. The book would not sell if the whole book was more of the same (we're talking teenagers, here: lots of action without much forethought), but it's a good transition piece.

I suppose that answers my question, then...leave it where it is. And edit to sell as short fiction, and maybe that will lead to an agent who wants to know more of the story.

Stijn Hommes · Jun 27, 2007

I was just writing about my MC on another thread, and it reminded me that the first time he's the voice of the novel is chapter 8

I don't get this bit. The label MC can be fluid, but I've never seen a book where the first time the MC speaks is way into the novel (and reveals stuff at that).

Instead of putting all those revelations earlier by altering the chapter order, I would do some POV changes and have the MC talk more before that point in the novel.

EriRae · Jun 27, 2007

The novel is 3rd person limited from a total of five characters' points of view. He speaks, but the PoV isn't in his head until chapter 8.

mscelina · Jun 27, 2007

I think the major question you need to ask yourself is "Whose story is this?" What do you accomplish in the seven chapters leading up to the MC's POV in Chapter Eight? Do the other POVs just hang around and talk about him?

If this is the MC's story (and from the sound of your premise it is) then regardless of how many POVs you have in the story we should hear from him way before Chapter 8. His emotional tie to the story, his conflict are what fuel it. If you queried agents with the premise you mention above, then send them your partial in which your MC doesn't make a POV appearance it's unlikely that they'll want to pick it up IMHO. I think that a truly fast-paced, action-packed fun novel almost always has to start with the main core of the plot. Otherwise you're writing in circle without getting anywhere.

In my WIP (written in first person) I eliminated the first 4 chapters entirely, picking up the storyline with the beginning of conclusive action and inserting snippets from the first 100 pages where relevant throughout the rest of the book. Pre chapter cut? 16 submission, 3 partials, no acceptances. After the chapter cut. 1 submission, 1 partial, 1 full, 1 acceptance. It taught me a valuable lesson.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

johnzakour · Jun 27, 2007

Erinmiller77 said:
I don't want to give the impression that I don't believe in the rest of the novel. That's not what I'm saying. On a scale of 1-10, chapters 1-7 and 9-26 and 28 are a 9.5. Chapter 24 is 9.7. Chapter 27 (climax) is 9.9 and Chapter 8 is a perfect 10. It's an entity in and of itself and would work as a short story, yet it transitions the novel from how the MC is perceived to how he's faking it. It's my Faulkner moment. The book would not sell if the whole book was more of the same (we're talking teenagers, here: lots of action without much forethought), but it's a good transition piece.

Wow! I've sold like 10 books and still haven't written a chapter I'd even begin to call a perfect 10.

My guess is if you first chapters really are 9.5's then that should be good enough to get some agent to request a full. (I must have written over 600 chapters so far and there are maybe 6 of those I consider being close to 9.5)

Have you considered posting some of your work in the SYW section?

I suppose that answers my question, then...leave it where it is. And edit to sell as short fiction, and maybe that will lead to an agent who wants to know more of the story.

Don't count on this one, shorts are a tough sell and I don't think many agents peruse shorts looking for new clients.

AllieB · Jun 27, 2007

I agree with mscelina...think we should hear from the MC's POV before Chapter 8. Otherwise, I'm not sure what makes him the MC rather than any of the others who's helping tell the story. Other characters talking about him? Readers are going to get anxious before Chapter 8, IMO.

ChaosTitan · Jun 27, 2007

If we don't get the Main Character's POV until Chapter 8, rethink chapters 1-7. Are they all backstory? Are they really, truly necessary to get the story started?

It's very likely, as others have said, that upon receiving your partials, the agents found a distance between the story your query promised and the story those opening chapters delivered.

Also, 11 queries is the tip of the iceberg (I know, I know, it's a horrible cliche). 7 Partial requests from 11 queries are great odds. Few people see those kinds of results. There is something in the query (and a great many more agents left to send it to). Now you just need to punch up the first few chapters.

EriRae · Jun 28, 2007

I want to share my work but haven't figured out how to do so yet...I'm on vacation next week and hope to do it then...hope you all would be interested in critiquing!

Thanks so much for your help.

EriRae · Jul 14, 2007

I wrote an addendum to chapter one last night; please check it out in SYW. I'm looking for some betas, too

If you're having a slow weekend, please check it out!

JamieFord · Jul 14, 2007

If you have a hunch that it's not working, it probably isn't.

My guess is that chapter 8 is satisfying because you've withheld a ton of info that you probably could have just put up front.

Should I rethink the chapter order of my novel?

EriRae

:P

Doug Johnson

EriRae

:P

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

EriRae

:P

mscelina

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

AllieB

ChaosTitan

Around

EriRae

:P

EriRae

:P

JamieFord

giving resonant directions