tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post8363583853163677881..comments2024-01-05T05:32:54.346-05:00Comments on S.A. Larsen, Award-winning author of middle grade & young adult fiction: DO NOT TOUCH ME!S.A. Larsenッhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-2497412206210758872010-06-09T16:40:44.079-04:002010-06-09T16:40:44.079-04:00It was recently suggested to me that I change the ...It was recently suggested to me that I change the POINT OF VIEW of a manuscript -- not even change the characters, but just switch from first person to third person. I freaked out over the idea of "losing my main character's voice."<br /><br />But I tried it, and it turns out this may have been the smartest move ever. Did a shift in point of view change my MC? Yes, because "her" voice became my voice (which it really was in the first place). She became a little more vulnerable, a little less confident, less analytical and more reactive.<br /><br />And -- oh, how it improved her!<br /><br />So, as much as we fight it, sometimes change can be good.Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-72831539715915509502010-06-09T13:20:40.941-04:002010-06-09T13:20:40.941-04:00lol...I don't know if it counts either ;)
I t...lol...I don't know if it counts either ;)<br /><br />I think our characters all feel like they're there for a reason. Lots of times they tell us who they are--that's why it's so hard to change them!!!!MBW aka Olleymaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06311893784715159105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-81688822542513045432010-06-09T10:55:47.859-04:002010-06-09T10:55:47.859-04:00Heck, I even have a hard time changing the names o...Heck, I even have a hard time changing the names of my characters after I've worked with them for so long. It's part of who they are (though I have done it, but not for the major players).<br /><br />Great post!Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-33434833512894591602010-06-09T10:42:23.116-04:002010-06-09T10:42:23.116-04:00i have to agree with everyone else -- they feel so...i have to agree with everyone else -- they feel so REAL. it seems, like, BETRAYAL, to change them. like you wouldn't grab your best friend and tell her to be someone else. you just can't. <br /><br />but let's pretend for a moment i didn't just compare a fictional character to my best friend.<br /><br />heheeeTaherehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03111022596822176769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-39807026473530619702010-06-09T10:36:06.158-04:002010-06-09T10:36:06.158-04:00I think it's because changing a character isn&...I think it's because changing a character isn't changing a character. Switching a personality trait actually makes that character into a different person entirely. We may like that new person, yeah, but it's not the same one. And switching MCs when you're halfway through a novel? Yeah, it doesn't sound like a good idea. A good exercise for curiosity's sake, definitely - I loved the idea - but for a permanent change? *shudder*Bethany Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829932931010851406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-77606080379866234132010-06-09T10:08:11.803-04:002010-06-09T10:08:11.803-04:00I agree with everyone and their feelings about the...I agree with everyone and their feelings about their characters. We've all written our characters the way they are for a reason, so they can make it - or in some cases not make it - through the tale we've written for them. Changing them would be like changing the tale. I think it would be easier to change another's author's characters.mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-40165075331552052742010-06-09T09:51:26.863-04:002010-06-09T09:51:26.863-04:00I agree. It's like they're real people. ...I agree. It's like they're real people. Now, if you asked me to change my husband for a day...Creepy Query Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-43139172542519579812010-06-09T08:57:30.452-04:002010-06-09T08:57:30.452-04:00Jessica said it well. My characters are a part of ...Jessica said it well. My characters are a part of me. Changing them is like changing myself. <br /><br />~JDJEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12390400360357693403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-62616365890502592812010-06-09T08:41:59.517-04:002010-06-09T08:41:59.517-04:00Because no matter who they are, they're a part...Because no matter who they are, they're a part of us. We read their thoughts, and they ours.Candylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08956196611348299424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-10824211168887736172010-06-09T08:14:37.632-04:002010-06-09T08:14:37.632-04:00I think it's all a matter of degrees. If some...I think it's all a matter of degrees. If someone came to me and said, "You know, after reading 1/2 of this book, I just don't believe Sadie would do x." well, I might consider changing that particular action. But if someone said (and this has happened), I don't get that she can be both caring and snooty. That's not something I will change about her. The snooty is part of her character flaw. And I know people like this IRL.Jessie Harrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11581727105030086814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-27661873274354188502010-06-09T07:43:40.584-04:002010-06-09T07:43:40.584-04:00I wouldn't roller blade either. I'd probab...I wouldn't roller blade either. I'd probably break a bone.<br /><br />I think it depends where you are in revisions on whether you want to change your character. If you're more in the beginning of your novel or revisions, it can be a useful exercise to change your characters and may change your story in interesting ways. If you're toward the end of a story you're relatively happy with, it seems like maybe not so helpful to do.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-2093321065899856392010-06-09T07:07:21.078-04:002010-06-09T07:07:21.078-04:00We do cling to them, don't we? I think it'...We do cling to them, don't we? I think it's because we've created them and we believe they "belong" to us. What's even more mind-boggling is when we cling to words and phrases as we edit. We're so afraid of making edits and changes, we often cling to them in a way that defies writing sense. The bottom line is to take in input from others and weigh it with an open mind. I think we've all been there, though. Any writer can completely understand the sentiment that you feel like you know your characters better than anyone else.<br /><br />MarissaMartina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-39767946491969621832010-06-09T06:44:17.575-04:002010-06-09T06:44:17.575-04:00Becasue we've learned to love them, and the th...Becasue we've learned to love them, and the thought of killing them off drives us to tears and insanity, as though they were real human beings. That's a writer for you. We cling onto our characters as though they have their own souls, and changing those souls would ruin the stories we have so desperately slogged our precious time and energy on. We've learned to love them. Would you change your husband's character? Well, that's my two cents ;-)Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.com