I finished what I like to call Revision 2.0 on Alchemist, my fantasy novel in preparation for an impromptu invite-only writer’s workshop this weekend. I stayed up most of the nights of last week to put the finishing touches on the book. By the end, I was astonished to discover that it weighed in at 661 manuscript pages (about 130,000 words). I still felt as though I left certain things incomplete.
I received quite a few complements in the area of plot. While nothing in the novel should particularly surprise anyone (there’s only two major twists, but I provide enough clues that the reader doesn’t feel like it’s a deus ex machina), the intricacies of how it all fits together drew some admiration. (Thanks, guys! You know who you are.)
Where I fell short, and where Kate has long told me that I fell short, is in the realm of writing believeable female characters. I don’t understand my mental failing. I either make them too man-like (and rob them of their feminity when giving them strength), I make them a Disney princess, or I so completely screw them over that my readers will wonder if I have a closet disdain for the female gender. I need to find a happy medium, especially given that one of the four main characters in the book is a female, and her role in the story is absolutely pivotal.
Contrast this with the fact that two of my characters, according to comments that I’ve received thus far, are absolute stand-outs. I actually jerked surprised gasps unwillingly from folks at one point (one of my villains is a real bastard). I need to capture the essence of what makes them pull someone’s emotional puppet strings and apply that realistically to the women in my story.
The other area that I have difficulty with is the (taboo to criticize among some writers) element of point of view. I have written Alchemist as third person limited omniscient (that’s a mouthful) with an ensemble cast of seven viewpoint characters. (If I have ever have more than seven viewpoint characters in a novel, Foxbat and Dez have my advance permission to drive up to DFW and kick me in the nuts for pulling a Robert Jordan.) However, I’ll have lines here and there where I jump into the head of someone else and then step back out. To me, it flows, because I wrote it and I’m trying to reveal information. To people who don’t know the story and don’t understand where I’m going, it’s a jarring switch that throws them out of the narrative.
Alchemist has gone from rough draft (beta), to Release Candidate 1.0, and now to Alchemist 2.0. Before I seriously attempt publication again, we might have to upgrade to Alchemist 2.1.
I love Tobias’ character. You’ve nuanced him perfectly. I thought your manuscript really stood out this weekend.
Don’t be too hard on yourself regarding Jessica’s character. if you have a male editor, you may slide through unnoticed…and you didn’t totally alienate female readers, you just made them a little uncomfortable with a few scenes.
I’ve been reading through the whole PDF you’ve sent me and I really like how the story is coming together. There is a call for character driven stories in the marketplace, and you certainly give everyone quite a collection !
I would have to agree with your opposite spectrum theory on your female characters though. The early chapters of Jessica look like they may need work after a quick read this morning. Although, what you’ve shown me regarding her character near the end of the book, you’ve come quite a long way.
I want to see this on a Border’s or B&N shelf. You’ve done a spectacular job so far, so keep it up.
Your Biggest Fan.
Phifer asked me to make a quick post on her behalf. She recommends: “If you wore something frilly and tight while your write it might help you identify with your female characters better.” She’d happily loan you some old stockings that brought her through some challenging times.
Since I know Pete a bit, I’ll be strapping on the ‘nut kicker’ boots, because I know you can’t resist the urge to try to multiview 9 characters, unless you pull it off like Jordan, in which case we will all ‘Ahhh’ and ‘Gasp!!”
Do you have some sample chapters available to read? All of the inside talk makes it sound interesting.
I think you’re too hard on yourself. Your voice is wonderful, your style is concise, and your plot is intricate without being pretentious. Fix what needs fixing and get this on a bookshelf.
Thanks, guys.
SkiffyDude: I believe we’re scheduled for a podcast of the first chapter sometime this week.
so, Pete:
What, to you, defines a strong woman? Since I haven’t read this one, hows about we get the interwebs involved in a group therapy session of what makes for a strong female character
Submission.
Hey Pete,
F you.
A strong woman is hard to define, Jason. I look at it from a storytelling perspective, and I graft character traits that further the plot onto female characters. Because I lack the female viewpoint, the result is inconsistent (in my opinion), and the voice is not terribly authentic. I need to really climb inside a woman’s through processes and understand how a difference in gender affects not only the outlook of a character, but how they react in certain situations.
In short, they’re not just a man with tits.
One of the easiest times I’ve had is to write the character of Shannon O’Leary, who is the female lead in Loss of Innocence, my (really, really bad) military science fiction novel. However, Kate came along behind me and nailed her voice. The difference? Kate understood what Shannon was going through from a female perspective.
Ovaries.
We need to find some ovaries, Pete.
Hey! Have you tried taking estrogen for a while??? lol I take testosterone/estrogen. Why not???