I'm in the home stretch of my WIP. I've worked on the flow. I've cut out repetition. My dialogue sparkles. But it still needs a little work. I need to make my minor characters as rich and full as my main character.
On my latest pass, I'm working on the love interest. Some crit comments focused on my leading lady being a bit too generic. And they were right. While my leading lady has a rich inner life, I wasn't bringing it out nearly enough. So I went back to the drawing board. I did more research on her interests. And in this revision, I'm looking for opportunities to showcase the character tics that my MC loves. Those character traits that make him fall in love with her and hence, let the reader fall in love with him.
And it's really fun. I feel like I'm at the point after you move -- the room is painted, the furniture in place, the window treatments hung -- and you stop at a flea market and find the perfect accessory for the spot above the bookcase. The point where everything starts to fit.
Here's to getting fit in 2014!
Ooh, so exciting Judy! Great analogy. Good luck with the Jess accessories and can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. I love when something already within the character needs to be brought out.
DeleteI tend to think of revision as the problem-solving phase. Seems you are making all the pieces fit together. Good job!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, Mirka. Problem solving is a great way to put it.
DeleteI love your horse figurine! And I think I'm almost on the home stretch too. It's a great feeling!
ReplyDeleteGo, Leandra - head on home!
DeleteYes, sometimes you remember a character who isn't always center stage because he/she is so vividly drawn. In Robin's novel, Luke would be an example.
ReplyDeleteYup. Luke in The Promise of Amazing is a great example.
DeleteWishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda!
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