The benefits of hindsight

November 7, 2011

This morning, I’ve started writing some guest posts and interviews for the launch of Carrie Goes off the Map, published on December 1st by Sourcebooks in the USA.

Blimey, writing blog posts about your novel really makes you think deeply about the characters and themes!

If only you could analyse them in such depth *before* you start…

You set off, not really knowing the characters. Perhaps one or two of them have landed fully formed on the page but others are slippery creatures who only reveal themselves as you go along.

Then, at the editing stage, you have the gift of knowing what should happen. You have the chance to go back and add subtle foreshadowing, new dialogue and extra scenes. You can also make those tiny tweaks of language and dialogue, that the reader may not notice, but hint at what is to come, drawing the reader (hopefully) deeper into the story.

Carrie was previously published as It Should Have Been Me in the UK in 2009, so writing about it now, I have the benefit of three years’ distance. Would I change anything about this book? I often do want to change my books after publication (!) but I did so much agonising and rewriting with Carrie, it’s pretty much how I wanted it to end up. That may be because I’d been thinking about the two main characters for a couple of years: a volatile, realistically flawed woman who reacts in her own quirky way to having her life turned upside down. Set against a cynical, world-weary doctor who has his own secrets to deal with, and suspects there is nothing new in his world to surprise him.

I half-wish I had the benefit of hindsight right now, as I wait for news of a number of projects. Or a magic wand, or fifty fingers and toes to cross. 😉

On a different note, I’m also planning a series of fun writing workshops for the new year, with fellow Coffee Crew authors, Nell Dixon and Elizabeth Hanbury. They’re going to take place at a variety of venues in the West Midlands so if you’ve ever wanted to Get Writing or Get Published, watch this space.

Comments

1. On November 7th, 2011 at 9:27 am
   Debra Ross Says:
   

   We will cross our fingers and toes for you as well, Phillipa, so you may just have that fifty and then some… Just started Carrie, and loving it! Good luck with the launch!

2. On November 7th, 2011 at 10:03 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Thanks Debra, everything is up in the air right now but so glad you’re enjoying Carrie. 🙂

3. On November 8th, 2011 at 5:00 am
   Rachel Lyndhurst Says:
   

   Ah, now you know how I feel about It Should Have Been Me, Phillipa. A book so good,I bought it twice. Carrie’s going to be mega!
   XXX

4. On November 10th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Rachel – you’re mad but I love you!