Revisiting My Novel  

One Good Kick, a thriller

 

 

I'm adding a subplot with a supporting character's point of view (POV) to my thriller ONE GOOD KICK. I was able to get an agent to represent the book without it, so I know the main story arch is good, but I believe losing the agent under circumstances no one could control (the agency closed with the passing of its owner) gave me an opportunity to revisit the novel and see what I can do to make it more engaging for the reader. I'm also changing the ending. I had to let it sit for a while before I could see these necessary changes with a clear eye.

The novel was originally written in only one POV, that of the protagonist turned antagonist. I did that because I wanted the reader to get an intimate look into the character's psyche. I believe I succeeded in doing that. However, I always had trouble wondering if the reader would have enough sympathy for her to sustain them through her entire journey.  

After letting the novel go for a couple of months, I realized I needed a second character's POV, one who was wholly sympathetic and had a integral part in the main character's fate. His role takes up less physical space in the novel than that of the main character, but the way he is woven into the story is significant.

I have decided to change the ending because I made a mistake when choosing how the novel would conclude. I love my mom and I respect her. She is wise and strong and loving and she only wanted the best for me. But sometimes people like parents, spouses, or best friends are too close to you to see what needs to be done with an objective eye.

She thought the novel would make a good series. She was pretty insistent. She said readers like a series and that's how I will get rich and famous. I listened to her, not because I wanted to become rich and famous. I've never had illusions of that, nor is it what I want. I just wanted to write a good book that people would want to read. I listened to her because I didn't want to disappoint her. She's my mom. So, I wrote the ending according to that advice. I convinced myself I liked the idea. The problem was multi-fold. 

One, after letting it go and coming back to it, I realize it was not a satisfying ending for the reader. Mainly because, and this is the second reason, contrary to what I convinced myself to believe, I didn't like the ending. Three, I didn't want to write a sequel to this story. I had zero desire to do that. I ignored that feeling and, number four, I thought it would force me to attack my next novel right away. I tried, honest I did. But I hated almost every idea I came up with. When I did come up with an interesting premise, I couldn't fit any of the characters from the previous story into it.

So, now I know what I need to do. Give a different POV to draw the reader in emotionally and allow the reader to root for someone. Change the ending so it is satisfying to both me and the reader. Don't worry about the sequel. When the time comes, I'll just write a new story. Never consider writing a story to become rich and famous, even if that would make my mom happy. And lastly, know I can love my mom without agreeing with everything she says.

Okay, so those who have beta read the novel as it was before, I hope you can see how this will work. It's all worth it, kids. Sometimes you can only fix the problem after you give your novel some distance.

Thanks for dropping in and happy writing and reading!

Eileen