KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

In an earlier post I mentioned that I’d turned a short reference into a full scene. My editor had written “This could be a fun, tense scene – let’s have more.”

Whilst considering the matter, I realised it provided an opportunity to deal with another issue. In her report, my editor had criticised the MC for being an unreliable narrator. She recognised that my MC distrusts the motives of a minor character. However, she pointed out that none of her behaviour supports the MC’s view. Although there is an example of unreasonable behaviour in Chapter Ten, it probably didn’t stand out enough.

 The minor character is putting on an act to convince others to give her something she wants. The MC knows this, but the reader wouldn’t by her actions. I decided to show the minor character in her true colours away from those she is trying to impress.

To achieve this I showed her being mean in Chapter One. I also rewrote the scene in Chapter Ten.

In a later revision I cut the scene I'd written for Chapter Four and revised it for use in a later one.
   


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