Why do some characters work better than others?

ACEnders · Dec 27, 2007

So I'm in the middle of my second WIP. The first one I finished - a women's fiction novel - and I'm really proud of it! I love the characters, and I love how my revisions deepened the characters and brought the story together. I think it's good, and it's something I'd read if I found it on a book shelf. Not trying to toot my own horn, just trying to get across that I am proud of my work.

But now that I'm about half way through my second WIP - one of those "sequels" that aren't really a sequel, but the minor characters were main characters in the first book - and my new MCs ....I like them so much better! When I get to the scene with the MCs from my first novel, I feel so disappointed. No matter what I do or how I tweak it, those characters don't feel as real as my new ones do.

And that's really frustrating b/c I'd love to make my first novel work. I really do like it...but the further I get into my new novel, the less I like the first one. (and the more scenes from my current WIP I cut that include the old characters from the first one, if that makes sense)

Has this ever happened to anyone? If so, is there anything I can do?

Stew21 · Dec 27, 2007

It's fairly typical, I think, that as you grow as a writer, your previous work becomes tarnished, lacks the shine you thought it had when you first wrote it. It is a sign of growth as a writer that what you are writing now is better to you as a reader.

For this current project though, maybe the best move to make is to take your first novel's characters out. let this new one stand alone without the old characters. If you feel they are slowing this current work down, take them out.

As for the first, get through the second novel first, it will improve your writing even more to get through the first draft and revisions of it, and then take that new skill to work on your first novel - I guarantee you will see things you didn't see before in regards to improving how it was crafted. Each new novel teaches you something else about writing. Use those newly-acquired skills to fix the first one after you sharpen them a bit more on the second. and get those older characters out of there if you can. let this one stand on its own two feet.

jmo

trish, was also proud of the first until she wrote the second.

Sassee · Dec 27, 2007

Yeah, I'm struggling with that now. My own character is annoying me. I'm trudging through it though... the story is good (at least I think so), it just needs some tough love and maybe thump on the head to make it decent.

althrasher · Dec 27, 2007

I'd say it's a good thing...it probably means you're getting better.

Have you thought about re-writing your first novel completley? You may like it better if you re-did it.

TrickyFiction · Dec 27, 2007

It could also be that you've already told their story. So, you feel almost spent with them, while the minor characters feel fresh and in need of a good story.

Stormhawk · Dec 27, 2007

There are also times when some characters just work.

I wrote a short about a character, and he was ok. I brought him back for a cameo in my new WIP and he was just wonderful.

It's writing. It's weird. Things happen, don't question them, just enjoy.

Zoombie · Dec 27, 2007

Some times characters need a good swift kick to the face.

Other times, they need to be bound in duck tape and carried from one story to another.

And sometimes the kindest thing you can do is give them a cigarette, a blind fold and a twelve man firing squad.

Writing is fun like that.

Scrawler · Dec 27, 2007

I'm doing the same thing (the minor characters were main characters in the first book) but I find my original MC wants to butt in and tell the story. I'm not feeling my new MC- yet. I'm wondering if I just need to get to know her better, or if the first MC really should tell the story.
Ah well....I'll work it out after the holidays.

Akuma · Dec 27, 2007

Writing is like bad parenting.

You love your first kid, and then the second comes along and you realize what a brat the first was.

KTC · Dec 28, 2007

Yeah...it just sounds to me like you are becoming a better writer. You are seeing the weaker work of your first novel because you have grown so much since you wrote it. Or at least that's what it sounds like. I think it happens to everyone.

ACEnders · Dec 28, 2007

Thanks everyone, for your encouragment and advice. It's frustrating, but I think for now I'm just going to keep writing. When I revise, we'll see what happens.

As for the first novel...I'm not sure. I actually just finished revising it, and I changed a lot. I think that maybe part of the reason I'm feeling the second one more right now is because it's a totally different kind of novel. A bit heavier. The first one maybe borders somewhere between women's fiction and chick lit...this one is smack dab in the middle fo women's fiction. I think anyway. My definition of it. Chick lit is lighter, right?

Anyway, ya'll have a great New Year!!

Why do some characters work better than others?

ACEnders

Self-Banned

Stew21

Sassee

Momma Wolf

althrasher

Prodigal Muser

TrickyFiction

Who?

Stormhawk

Angry Bunny Girl

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Scrawler

Bored fanatic

Akuma

Rare Writer Pokemon

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

ACEnders

Self-Banned