I'm wrapping up one book and embarking on another rewrite, but this one will be far more intensive than the ones I've done heretofore. Others needed polish, emotional depth, connections, themes, and the like. They needed to be streamlined and have greater connections made. This one is one I knew even as I drafted it that it didn't feel right. Some books practically write themselves once you know your characters, the overall plot, and the basic events that will go into a given chapter. It's always exhilarating to find out what the characters are going to say and do because I don't preplan, just find out as the events unfold, just as my characters do. But writing this book felt like pulling teeth. I didn't fully know the main character or understand why and how of the plot, and it shows in the draft.
One complication as I rewrite this is I already had my illustrator draw an image for each chapter. At the time, I didn't yet understand how very much would have to be rewritten. I hope I'll be able to use most of them, but I can think of at least a few that will have to be replaced as the story reshapes itself to get more at the heart of its main character.
Part of the sticky part will be keeping the voice interesting. At least one beta reader found the main character dull. The Doomimals books alternate perspectives, one for each book. Davis, the only male protagonist, starts the first book. Through the book, the narrative explores the thinking and adventures of a snarky, ADD peacemaker nerd in a first-person style. I didn't even know he was a peacemaker (of the enneagram) personality type until I rewrote the book, and everything he did, said, or thought fit that character. His voice is distinct. The second book is from the heart and soul of his twin, Kitt, a very opinionated performer "princess," one who is all about her image and impressing people. Her voice, too, is distinct and strong. Mostly, I needed to shift her voice toward her pain at missing her mom and her desire for her mom to be proud of her when they met again.
This third book is from the perspective of the third character, Tessa, the youngest character, one I first saw as the weakest and the shyest, an animal lover pacifist. That's a hard voice to keep fresh and interesting. But as I've rewritten the other books, her voice came out more distinctly as a thinker, an intellectual who memorizes zoology books and intellectualizes everything. I think I'll be able to get to her heart if I rewrite her first book starting with her heart, with her relationship with her parents. So instead of starting in her cousins' world and home, where we've been until now, we start in her world. How else can you really get to know her? Once I get this book down, I think her other perspectival books will work better. I look forward to introducing these three unique characters to you once I've made them ready for your enjoyment.
