Shoot Me in the Face: Confessions of a Self-Published Author Pt. 2
So the other day, in fact, I think it was Christmas Day, I was looking at my sales stats and I got to thinkin’ about that ol‘ book 2, Mya’s Pride, the second book in my first series. I don’t do it as often as I used to, but I started turning it over and over in my mind a bit. Troubleshooting. Like a Rubix cube.
When it first came out, the feedback was mixed, and notably tilting more negative, which at first put me in a panic. I re-wrote and re-worked and every little tidbit, no matter where or how I thought of it, it went into the manuscript. After a while, I felt like I’d plugged up all the holes I could have and scoured all the two-star reviews I could for clues about what I could possibly be getting wrong (nobody’s dared give me a 1 star for it yet!). I knew I took a lot of chances with Mya’s character, and I eventually just had to let it go. I’d done all I could do. Some objections I flat out didn’t understand. Every time I’d go back and put up another edit I’d think, “okay, now THIS is the one. If people are still complaining after this, then they’re all insane.”
As I said, it’s been six months, and I feel absolved. I’ve given the book all the care I can give it. I also mercilessly cut. I made sure that the reader is led through every page like a damn baby child through a labyrinth. If nobody gets it after that, then I can’t. Let’s move on.
Welp. The other day my brain was just randomly like: “what if you switched it from third person to first person?”
And then I responded to my brain with a “hm. maybe.”
I’ve never been a huge fan of using first person. Aside from it being to… I don’t know, intimate I guess, I feel like it’s overused. Poorly. I mean, my blog is in first person, but I’m me. But I’ve been doing this writing thing a little while now, and I’ve got a story or two in the pipeline where I’ve toyed around with the idea. Plus, I sort of know these characters like the back of my hand now, so I decided to try it out.
You guys. YOU. GUYS.
I have been glued to my chair for the last four days. The dishes are piled, the refrigerator is empty, my children, neglected.
12 hour days people. Just to get TWO CHAPTERS DONE PER DAY.
Not only am I changing it from third to first person, I’m also changing the tense from past to present. So I’m basically re-writing the entire book, but in a much more tedious way.
Yes, folks, I’m in editing hell right now. But I’m just passing through. I got two more chapters to do tomorrow and I see light at the end of the tunnel.
And I’m doing it all for you, dear reader.
Okay, maybe a little bit for myself, but mostly for you.
The finished product is driving me forward. I didn’t think it was possible, but it’s a much, MUCH better book now. To the point that I’m starting to understand some of the objections. Maybe an editor would’ve caught this long ago. But I tell you one thing, I will never forget the lesson I just learned. Sometimes a book just calls for first person. Perspectives matter.
And after what will be 60-ish hours of editing, now I know that I mean what I say: THIS. is. the. one. If you don’t like the book after THIS… I. CAN’T. HELP. YOU.
If by chance you’ve already read the second book and you’re checking this blog out, by the time you’re reading this, the book will probably be updated. Yay, technology! I should have it up by the 31st. No pressure if you’re not interested in re-reading but… let’s just say I’m tempted to offer a money back guarantee or something, because I just took this thing to 11.
This time last year, I was starting this very book. I intentionally sat down on New Year’s Eve and went into the new year starting book 2. So it’s oddly fitting that I’m ending the year with it as well. Mya’s Pride needs to go into the new year being its best self.
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