tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post5082877426021890079..comments2024-01-06T02:15:31.671-06:00Comments on Marcia Hoehne: Of File Cabinets and POVMarciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-70624280296875881972011-12-31T09:10:02.990-06:002011-12-31T09:10:02.990-06:00Miranda -- I kind of like filing cabinets, because...Miranda -- I kind of like filing cabinets, because I like arranging drawers and cupboards and such. I actually have SIX cabinets, 1 of them a 4-drawer. My desktops are stained and varnished plywood balanced on the cabinets. I love the desk surface area this gives me, not to mention cheap but sturdy furniture. As for the novels, most are probably permanently retired, but some could possibly be reborn or used for spare parts. All best wishes with your novel!Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-10642987419373484022011-12-29T22:09:09.035-06:002011-12-29T22:09:09.035-06:00Marcia - you're my hero! I really dislike clu...Marcia - you're my hero! I really dislike clutter and paperwork, but I also dislike filing cabinets. So, I find that versions get digitally saved and hard copy edits and revisions have to be IMMEDIATELY inputted into the computer, then recycled.<br /><br />I would love to take a peek inside that filing cabinet of yours. There are 7 books waiting to be published in there! All the best. I'm trying to finish my first novel, and just decided to change not only POV, but which character is the one telling the story...grrr!Miranda Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00479324010424718024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-63058288114958466892011-12-21T17:21:54.702-06:002011-12-21T17:21:54.702-06:00Faith -- That's just how first- person present...Faith -- That's just how first- person present happened for me -- I never expected to use it, but it works perfectly because it answers the question, "Does your character know what happened in history ten years later?" Past tense would leave that question open; present tense conveys that she's narrating NOW, not years or decades later. <br /><br />Merry Christmas to you!Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-21869252892369894892011-12-21T13:01:13.715-06:002011-12-21T13:01:13.715-06:00What a repertoire! I've used a few different P...What a repertoire! I've used a few different POV's in my mss. The last completed one in in first person present tense, which I never thought I'd use--but it was just right for the story.<br />Merry Christmas!Faith E. Houghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03823750019164801104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-4650831319587824392011-12-21T12:09:55.559-06:002011-12-21T12:09:55.559-06:00Mary -- I used to have a lot of trouble with overw...Mary -- I used to have a lot of trouble with overwriting. Every thought in my character's head was on the page! I don't know if I've ever had more than one project near completion at the same time. Although for the first time I had three underway at once, so you never know. :)<br /><br />Tess -- I remember when I learned that third vs. first person was about so much more than just changing she to I. A POV switch really does change so much, because perspective means so much!Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-33328550006351750172011-12-20T22:38:23.485-06:002011-12-20T22:38:23.485-06:00That's a lot of writing you've accomplishe...That's a lot of writing you've accomplished! it is harder than most realize to change POV. I've tried writing in first person but really struggled. I do far better in limited third, I think.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-2076333734946444372011-12-19T10:03:47.501-06:002011-12-19T10:03:47.501-06:00I'm impressed with your record too, and the fa...I'm impressed with your record too, and the fact that you're still pushing yourself to do more. Sp far I've written three, with three more near completion. Only two of the first three are strong enough to go out into the world, however.<br /><br />My main goal is to get my writing leaner. I've been getting better at this, but it's been a long haul -- and I have so many words (& probably chapters) left to cull.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-48151206370638252342011-12-19T10:00:58.983-06:002011-12-19T10:00:58.983-06:00Sharon -- It's amazing how a POV shift can mak...Sharon -- It's amazing how a POV shift can make all the difference, isn't it? Sometimes, the POV seems to just "come with" the idea, and we don't think about changing it. And since both third and first are perfectly good choices, whatever POV we have doesn't necessarily seem wrong. I love how each project has its own individual bests.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-19515621797081070832011-12-18T17:02:46.395-06:002011-12-18T17:02:46.395-06:00Thanks for sharing your stats. I think I'll t...Thanks for sharing your stats. I think I'll try and do the same thing. <br /><br />I changed the POV on the ms you critiqued for me. It was third person and now it's first person. An agent suggested I make the change. It made a big difference in being able to see the mc's personality more.Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-36060577012376238852011-12-17T12:29:40.346-06:002011-12-17T12:29:40.346-06:00Lee -- Some of those practice pieces can be disman...Lee -- Some of those practice pieces can be dismantled for spare parts, I've also found. And yes, I've also learned some things just by tallying!<br /><br />Medeia -- I've considered dumping some of what's in this drawer. Just undecided about that. I'm revising, too, but I'm almost done.<br />I hope. Though I love revising.<br /><br />Cynthia -- I love my new idea, which actually I began before my almost-done WIP was even started. I fully realize I'm at the "in love" stage, and things won't always be so rosy. :)<br /><br />Mirka -- Yeah, back in the day the drawer was physical, and mine still is. Though it's quite dated, which is another reason I might at lease partially clear it out. <br /><br />Dawn -- Yeah, I'd prefer to leave "camera" third to Hemingway, of whom I am not a fan. :)BUT I admire his ability to get things across that most writers couldn't unless they entered the characters' heads.<br /><br />Joyce -- Two first-person voices sounds really interesting. To go back and forth between the two distinct voices sounds like a meaty challenge!<br /><br />Christy -- It IS fun trying new things. I really admire books that can change POVs yet all the storylines are equally compelling.<br /><br />Andrea -- I agree that it's a spur to creativity. I want to ask myself, "How can I approach this story to make it even better, rather than just going to my "go-to" techniques."<br /><br />Kelly -- That's an interesting question in itself: Why our POV choice is dependent upon form or length. Half the fun of writing is how endlessly fascinating it is -- at least for writers themselves. :)Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-89460404066410396372011-12-17T07:24:53.247-06:002011-12-17T07:24:53.247-06:00For my novels, I love first person. It's my th...For my novels, I love first person. It's my thing, I guess. For short stories, I'm a close third person. I'd love to try alternating POV sometime. I will tackle that eventually.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-67096398965221831522011-12-17T06:49:07.013-06:002011-12-17T06:49:07.013-06:00I think it's so important to keep challenging ...I think it's so important to keep challenging yourself as a writer. I always find that also spurs my creativity.Andrea Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-9949825148237201742011-12-16T15:27:16.781-06:002011-12-16T15:27:16.781-06:00Wow! That's impressive. I've always admir...Wow! That's impressive. I've always admired how Neal Shusterman can write 3rd person multiple POV. It's flawless and riviting. I've been toying around with that style in one of my current WIP. It's fun trying new things. <br /><br />Great post! :0)C.R. Evershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034891037873664976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-1154692261062867012011-12-16T05:49:39.454-06:002011-12-16T05:49:39.454-06:00My recent challenge is writing from two viewpoints...My recent challenge is writing from two viewpoints (both first person) which as it turns out is much harder than I imagined. <br /><br />I will have to search your blog to see what you've written about this.Joyce Moyer Hostetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05153114928220349251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-48352042169176478672011-12-15T20:50:42.740-06:002011-12-15T20:50:42.740-06:00- All of my short stories are written in 3rd, but ...- All of my short stories are written in 3rd, but I really struggle with it for longer works. I'm with Christine in that I need to work at staying close while writing a novel-length manuscript. I've tried but so far my three novels have all been written in 1st.D.E. Malonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10256696009575732721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-88561481481551470992011-12-15T18:37:56.831-06:002011-12-15T18:37:56.831-06:00Great stats, Marcia.
But oh, that drawer! When wri...Great stats, Marcia.<br />But oh, that drawer! When writers refer to ‘putting the manuscript in the drawer’ I think of a metaphorical drawer. You’ve got the real thing, and it’s spilling out…Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-21898125118728987092011-12-15T17:17:42.623-06:002011-12-15T17:17:42.623-06:00Impressive statistics! And your new idea is intrig...Impressive statistics! And your new idea is intriguing and ambitious. I hope you'll blog about the journey as you dive into it. ; ) <br /><br />As for me, I'm revising, which is where I most love to be.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-46972246115134971632011-12-15T17:11:56.965-06:002011-12-15T17:11:56.965-06:00Interesting stats. I haven't kept all my old m...Interesting stats. I haven't kept all my old manuscripts and short stories, but I may know the stats if I write them down from memory.<br /><br />I'm revising these days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-55027064983326926772011-12-15T15:00:31.141-06:002011-12-15T15:00:31.141-06:00That's quite a nice tally, Marcia. And a great...That's quite a nice tally, Marcia. And a great way to "see" the body of work started,completed,published. My unfinished ones I consider to be my practice pieces. Learned so much by making those mistakes.<br /><br />Hope you have a wonderful holiday. Look forward to more exchanges in 2012.<br /><br />Leecleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-45898509460041539462011-12-15T13:59:20.049-06:002011-12-15T13:59:20.049-06:00Vijaya -- It's exciting and scary to stretch o...Vijaya -- It's exciting and scary to stretch one's skills. But another great thing about writing is that it gives us room to grow. Hope your WFH is going great!<br /><br />Christine -- I think that's a great point about staying "close enough" in close third. Sometimes we don't have enough of what now seems to be called "interiority." Or we depart more from the MG's voice than close third should. <br /><br />Joanne -- Thanks for that term "digital proof." I actually heard somebody just the other day ask what to call a PDF file of her book that she'd gotten from her publisher. Not a galley, not an F&G, not really page proofs either. Digital proof seems to work!<br /><br />Kelly -- I hope to start a new project in January as well, if the current one would ever leave my desk!<br /><br />J Ro -- I've got 2 WIPs coming up; one's first present and the other multiple not-so-close third past, if that makes sense. I love the challenge too.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-56796899503211747182011-12-15T13:44:20.590-06:002011-12-15T13:44:20.590-06:00After just finishing a close 3rd manuscript, I'...After just finishing a close 3rd manuscript, I'm now working on a first present. Love the challenge.Jaye Robin Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03929739858812153990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-62547891130920686892011-12-15T07:44:38.640-06:002011-12-15T07:44:38.640-06:00Those are interesting stats. You do seem to mix th...Those are interesting stats. You do seem to mix the POV quite well!<br />I'm pretty much taking December off from writing. Taking a break from my mg, and embarking on a new picture book come January!Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-16009874499291273442011-12-15T07:19:46.099-06:002011-12-15T07:19:46.099-06:00I'm checking the digital proof of my manuscrip...I'm checking the digital proof of my manuscript, prepping it for publication in the Spring, and starting to think ahead to the next project.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-64639534534647906762011-12-15T06:58:16.480-06:002011-12-15T06:58:16.480-06:00Good luck on your project! I'm slowly learnin...Good luck on your project! I'm slowly learning to stay close enough to the MC in close 3rd.Christine Sarmelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06152192568260315003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054081895459294120.post-2373149640786248502011-12-15T06:43:20.653-06:002011-12-15T06:43:20.653-06:00Wow! You are amazing. I'm glad you are pushing...Wow! You are amazing. I'm glad you are pushing yourself. I have a couple of story ideas that need for me to mature more as a writer before I tackle them ... I started them, and finished a horrible first draft of one, but realize I don't have the skills to pull off this story. Yet.<br /><br />These days I am on a tight deadline for a wfh project. I hope to finish sometime during Christmas vacation.Vijayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com