Monday, March 7, 2011

Coming at it From a Completely Different Angle

I am I between edits right now.  That dreaded week where you are awaiting a second round of suggested revisions, but afraid to start something new for fear you won't be able to switch gears back to revision mode.   Worse yet is the fear that if I give my muse too much of a hiatus, then the little bugger will go on a permanent vacation.

I expressed this fear to my agent last week and we came up with an idea, one that will keep me creatively busy while reserving my energy for the pending revisions.  I have a manuscript sitting on the shelf, one that we both love, but have put aside until the timing is just right.  It is written in 1st person POV from my female MC's perspective. I am going to pull it down off the shelve and play around with it, re-write the entire thing from the male protagonist's POV.

Why mess with a manuscript we both already love . . .  the one that actually got me my agent?  Couple of reasons.  It is an in depth project, but not a completely new WIP.  The plot is already laid out, the threads interwoven, and the characters fleshed out. The framework is laid, thus no complicated plotting issues to sort out.  It will keep me busy and give my muse a creative arena to frolic around in.  And lastly, it will be a completely different book, and as she said.  "You never know, it could just actually be better!"

17 comments:

  1. I just know I'm going to love it. Love. It.

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  2. Wow, that's quite a project! But a great idea for sure. Best of luck!

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  3. That's a great idea! I'm sure it'll help you get at the project from a new angle, and potentially strengthen the original one! Good luck with it.

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  4. I think that's a fantastic plna!! Sometimes it's best to move forward to something you've once worked on just to make sure you still have the juices flowing! I know I need to do that!

    That agent of yours sure is smart!

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  5. oooo that sounds like fun :) I have one manuscript that's shelved for now too, but someday, I've got major plans to rework it. I love the idea of doing it during one of those "in between" times!

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  6. What a great idea! Hope I get to read it!

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  7. If I take a break from writing too long, I worry about losing my muse too.

    Good luck with your new angle.

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  8. That's a great idea! Let us know how it goes.

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  9. Well, good luck with your rewriting of the POV. Sounds like quite a major project! But, as your agent said, it may just make it better!

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  10. I think that sounds like a fantastic idea! You're absolutely right, it keeps you writing and it keeps those creative juices flowing. A whole new perspective on a story just brings you deeper into it. Best of luck to you!

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  11. This sounds really cool. I know when reading I sometimes wonder what the other person is thinking more in depth. What a wonderful idea to keep your muse busy.

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  12. Very interesting! I hope it does turn out well. It would be interesting to look at the work through different eyes.

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  13. Hey I'm just swinging by to let you know I gave you a couple of blog awards :)

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  14. This post interested me, but from an entirely different reason than you'd expect. You had a book that landed you an agent, but then was shelved. AND now you're working on a new project and thinking of going back and doing something different with it (wow, did I just sum that up or what?)

    I have a book out with an agent. I've received 3 editor responses so far (no's) and so I'm like, will my agent toss me aside if it doesn't get picked up? What happens to books that don't get picked up the first go around? So many questions.

    Your post gave me hope :)

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  15. goodness, what a job. Certainly have my best wishes for that one! sending your muse plenty of creative energy and drive.

    Hope the edits come back and are not too shocking. I know what you mean by the whole switching muse thing. you have to lasoo that thing down at times.

    good luck

    Sarah ketley

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