In a moment of epiphany...

[panik]

I was in the kitchen, making coffee and I just realised...

In this new novel I'm writing - I was convinced the story should be told through the cynical, jaded eyes of the ex-cop. The other main character, the one who's central to it all; the one who sees all, knows all - I thought he had to be in this guy's peripheral vision at first, someone barely noticed who's slowly drawn into the centre of things to reveal his secrets. But...

I just realised that, knowing all that's happening is the very reason why the other guy needs to be the narrator; the story has to be told through his frightened eyes - and the poor lamb is so scared, so damaged - believe me, fanon Blair has nothing on this guy. *G*

Because he's the singularity; the still calm centre around whom everything revolves, but his fear of what he knows keeps him from sharing anything until he forms a relationship with ex-cop guy in the second half of the story. At first, though, he's the outside voice, the observer - watching everything, taking it all in, commenting; having an opinion based on what he knows, but saying little or nothing to the cops, of whom he's scared, or the victims, for fear of making it worse for them.

And this works! Now I've got that right, the whole thing is so much easier. Things are starting to happen.  God, I feel so much better, it's like having a splinter removed.

Comments

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

This sounds quite intriguing! How far along is it - will you need to rewrite much in order to change the POV?

Probably TMI (sorry, I'm on a bit of a roll here...)

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

I haven't done any writing at all yet so, no rewriting, no.

It's an idea I've had in my head for quite a while; it started life as a submission for a Doctor Who EDA (lol), but then they stopped doing them and it languished, until I started having fresh thoughts for it a few months ago. I've been busy with another novel that I'm trying to get published, and a road book that I now think needs work that I'm not, at present, willing to give it...

So now the Other Novel is out in the world, looking for representation, I wanted to start something new; I had 2 projects sketched out and this was the one that got me hardest.

I'm still planning it, working all the angles through the pages and pages of notes I've accumulated; I'm musing on NaNoWriMo but I can't make up my mind if that's a good idea of not...

"This sounds quite intriguing!"
I hope so, I really do!

Re: Probably TMI (sorry, I'm on a bit of a roll here...)

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

Definitely not TMI. Do you find it easier to write to a deadline such as NaNoWriMo, or do you work better without any pressure?

Re:NaNoWriMo

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

I don't like pressure of any kind, tbh, but then I don't really need the discipline to write, I write all the time; time is what I don't have enough of, or peace; freedom from interruption - same as everyone, I guess.

Have you done it? Are you thinking of doing it? I can't decide if there's any point in it for me.

Re: NaNoWriMo

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

Nah, I've not done it. I lack time - and talent, but mainly time! *grin* Can't write to save my life, tbh.

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I know that feeling! Happy it's all falling into place for you.

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

Thanking you kindly. (o:

I really should be writing it, shouldn't I? Not messing around on LJ...

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I know THAT feeling even better ;-)

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

Thinking. I'm *thinking*; turning thoughts over in the cake-mix of my brain, folding in the egg whites and this metaphor is getting tortured, isn't it?

LJ is conducive to thought. That's my crux, I think. It's what I tell myself. It makes me happy.

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

That DOES sound intriguing! I'm glad it's working out so well for you! Good luck when you get to the actual writing part! Go YOU! *g*

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

I have high hopes for it; I'm firing ideas all the time. It's been a long time since I've been this enthused over an original (non fic) writing project. I just want to get away from Cuba - I've been writing about the place for years - it's all anyone seems to want from me - and I'm so, so tired of it.

Thanks for the good vibes; I'm still working it all out right now; I'm musing on signing up to the NaNoWriMo thing when I actually start to write.

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

Good luck with it all! *g*

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

I think it sounds fascinating! I love a damaged, unreliable narrator!

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha!! Unreliable narrator... That's me!

[snycock.livejournal.com]

Ooh, this sounds really, really good! I hope it gets published so I can read it...

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

"I hope it gets published..."
Not half as much as I do! *G* If it ever gets finished but never gets published be sure I'll inflict it on everyone online somewhere. (o:

[maybeatdawn.livejournal.com]

So coffee is good for you!
Good to see you so full of enthusiasm and feeling much better! Yay you! Intrepid writer!

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

I think having a project I actually care about at last is helping. (o:

Yay you, intrepid artist. Your latest works are incredibly beautiful, you go from strength to strength.

Thanks for your kind words.