Um, I’ve been in rewrite hell. Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. It’s not really hell, but it’s intense…and I’m lovin’ it.
Based on some editorial feedback, my agent asked me if I’d be willing to convert my novel from 3rd person to 1st person point of view. It wasn’t a hard decision. My agent is amazing and I trust her.
I knew it was going to be a major undertaking.
I knew it was going to be the equivalent to writing a new book.
I knew it would be worth it.
Needless to say, blogging took a back seat. I have been blogging over at the QueryTracker.net Blog, though.
I wrote Soul Purpose in 3rd person for two reasons: 1) I thought the story would be more interesting through the eyes of two characters, and 2) I wanted to work on transitioning between points of view, which I think is hard to do effectively. The book is good in 3rd person. Good enough to receive several offers of representation from literary agents, but there was still something missing. I think this rewrite is solving that.
I avoided writing this book in first person because it feels so indulgent and self-centered. It is also limited. What I’ve discovered is that for this manuscript in this genre, indulgent is good and being limited to one person’s viewpoint adds to the tension and conflict.
The main problem with the manuscript was some readers didn’t connect enough with the female main character. During this rewrite, I’ve realized that I favored the male main character, and those parts from his point of view were more interesting. I hadn’t really gotten to know the female as well. All of that has certainly changed. I not only know this character, but I like her, which is a bit of a relief.
My agent is right. This will make the female main character more likable. It also is making the voice stronger. Although my narrative voice in each characters’ point of view reflected that character’s voice, it wasn’t as punchy as telling it from first person.
Since half of the book was from the male’s point of view, I’m having to delete and rewrite huge sections. The parts from the female’s point of view require rewrite and not just substitution of pronouns. This is a BIG job.
Below is an example of one of the less changed sections as it was from Lenzi’s point of view to begin with. This is the opening paragraph of the book.
3rd Person Point of View Sample:
Chapter 1: Voices
Lenzi felt like her bones were coming unglued as Zak’s car barreled over the dimpled sand, threatening to shake her apart at any moment. He had promised her a surprise, but this was not at all what she had expected.
Rewrite in First Person:
Chapter 1: Voices
I wasn’t sure which I wanted to do more—puke because of motion sickness or rant at Zak for ruining my birthday. He had promised me a surprise, but this wasn’t at all what I’d expected.
We rattled over the dimpled sand in his beat up beast of a car until it felt like my bones were coming unglued and would shake apart any second.
You can’t tell too much from this tiny sample, but the work is stronger from this point of view. It is especially interesting when the female main character shares her body with ghosts. I had originally written all of those scenes from the male’s point of view from the outside, but now the reader experiences it from the inside through the eyes of the character who is possessed.
I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this book marketable and stronger. I’m hopeful that this is the ticket.
Have you ever had to make a significant change to a manuscript at the request or suggestion of someone else? Did it work? I’m looking for inspiration here! I’m only half way through.
One feature I really like is the NaNoWriMo Young Writer’s program. Being a teacher and YA writer, I’m all about getting young people into writing.

















