Plodding on - Editing and old books

[rflong]

So, I have been working on the requested rewrite of The Penitent pretty much entirely since I got it. I am, according to my wordcounter 67% through it at page 180 of 268 (this is not in double spaced courier 12 point so don't fret the page count). The novel is inadvertantly getting longer, but as I am meant to be clarifying some thins and getting deeper into POV that's probably good.

Speaking of "getting deeper into POV" anyone got a magic wand for that? It's coming. I think. But then I tend to worry that I thought that the last time so around maybe I'm not getting there this time either?

We've a full week at work. There's a kind of conference on here. I put together an exhibition this morning of one book from each century from the library collection, of which I am very proud. The books date from 1499-2007 and it looks wonderful. I also focused on the bindings when writing them up as they are very interesting - morroccan, alum tawed (pigskin), vellum, wood etc. Its amazing how plain and unadorned they are up to the 1600s. Then all hell breaks loose. The one from 1617 looks ike someone went mad with an embossing tool!

So while my head is stuck in the world of The Penitent, my body is dealing with rare books and the many visitors who arrive in the breaks between meetings.

To quote my favourite Dylan (the rabbit) "It's, like, exhausting man."g

Oh and I queried another agent. So far its very quiet.

Comments

[gabriel-writes.livejournal.com]

I found the best way to get into my character's POV is to read other authors. Then, go back over the chapters that I read to see how it is done.

Just my two cents worth.

[rflong.livejournal.com]

Good idea. Now I have to find a book with really good POV becuase the one I'm reading now has drifting POV most of the time.

[gabriel-writes.livejournal.com]

Mystery novels seem to be my best bet in getting a good grounding in POV.

What are you reading currently?

[rflong.livejournal.com]

The Jane Austen Book Club, Flashing Swords Summer Special and a Nora Roberts.

One day I'll read just one book at a time. The Nora Roberts has fairly light POV, but she can do it and pull it off. The Jane Austen Book Club is first person POV.

Remember of course that I basically don't have time to read more than a couple of pages at any given time. It took me about three months to get through the last full novel.

[kltownsend.livejournal.com]

Agent querying. Oh that sounds frightening. I haven't gotten that far yet in the process.

I have to say I an jealous that you have access to older books. That sounds fascinating. What was the theme for the exhibition?

Good luck on the rewrite! I figure getting deeper into POV can never hurt :)

[rflong.livejournal.com]

It is frightening! :D And takes a very long time.

The theme of the exhibition is a book from each century - so there's one from the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st century, all related to the Carmelites.

R

[namelessarchon.livejournal.com]

Can I get a word count on The Penitent?

[rflong.livejournal.com]

It's currently standing at 105k words. It was 100k when I started "editing"! But then, I was asked to clarify some things as well as cut some out. Honest! :D