I’m back working on a story I wrote a while ago, still trying to get past a certain point and build up to a climax. But now I’m beginning to wonder if it’s already taken too long to get there.
Told in the first person, a woman’s relating of her day and bits of her life are primarily a character study; that is, if the woman herself is interesting enough. While I think I may have given a good idea of where her head is at by her thoughts and interaction with her family, it may still be too boring without the addition of some more mini-dramas or incidents that build up to a climax and resolution of sorts. What I had originally written was dull, an ending unworthy of the buildup of interest, if not action. While I still can pick out words and phrases that work better here and there, I’m coming to the same point without enough momentum to bring it to a confrontation and a close.
The voice itself may be a problem; it is one of resignation and subtle control. It is lacking self-confidence, yet is completely in charge of the environment in which the characters live. It seems too laid back, I’m beginning to suspect, except in its own assumptions, to get worked up to a major conflict. There may need to be more tension in the beginning. This is one problem with first person point of view and trying to establish a strong first person viewpoint while at the same time, eventually showing that that viewpoint is mistaken.
Hmmm. Gotta put more time into understanding this lady, and finding out the best way to give her what she needs, and the opportunity to face it.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology