Regarding your writing career, what's the best mistake you've ever made and why?
I made my book too complicated.
Like, really complicated. The fantasy I queried in 2008 had seven POV characters. Five were adults with relationships worthy of a soap opera: secret parentage, unrequited obsession, and misguided revenge. The magic rules were so intricate, I tried to create a Punnett square that would give certain talents a more logical genetic basis. The book was the first of a trilogy. Story lines wove and twisted. Characters were sacrificed, literally.
For some reason, I thought it was appropriate for middle graders.
Lucky for me, Super Agent Chris saw something in it. He wasn't sure what, or how we were going to mine that nugget from the dreck, but he committed to don a helmet, shoulder a pick, and help me figure it out. We're now several revisions (and a rewrite) down the road. The book has two POV characters (both children) and is now a stand-alone novel. Its story lines are motivated, its action well-paced, its character arcs meaningful. It will eventually find its readers.
What made the complications a good mistake? In hacking away the excess, I've learned what is essential to each character: what drives him, what scares him, what he'll do to get what he wants. I'm not finished -- have in fact begun another major rewrite -- but the book is so much better than it was two years ago. And richer for its complicated beginnings.
Cole went all TMI on this question yesterday (you know you want to check that out), and how can you resist reading about Kate's best mistake tomorrow?
What's the best mistake you've ever made (writing or otherwise)?
10 ate pie:
My first novel also had a lot of POV characters and was over 170,000 words long. Good thing I've learned to trim a little since then. ;)
Wow, what a transformation! Thanks for sharing!
Impressive hacking! I bet it wasn't easy!
Nice change, from soap opera drama to truly well-written story. Not a bad mistake to learn from though.
Thanks, guys. It's crazy what shines when you start to clear out the weeds, right?
Great post, Shannon! So many times agents want a book that it is insanely pitch perfect with little need for revision, so it's nice to see a post that talks about all the work you and Chris did to turn your MS into that shines brightly.
I cannot wait to see this book on a store shelve. It's going to happen:)
Ohhh...I love your answer to this!
Sarah - I imagine there are short-sighted agents out there who are more project-focused. I signed with Chris because he takes the long view. And he's stubborn. :)
Cole - you and me both, sister. :)
Christine - thanks!
I wish I made a great #@!?* mistake like that. I've written a fantasy novel, my first, that was just too busy with POV characters. Learning what to keep and how to tighten up a story can only improve a writer. Great answer!
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