In the whimsical world of literature, where words dance on paper like electrons in a flux capacitor, an author named Parker, known for his adventurous spirit in storytelling embarked on an ambitious journey. His latest work in progress (WIP), tentatively titled "Mr. Mathews," was initially penned in the third person. However, Parker, with the audacity of a man who manages multiple programmes as a day job, decided to switch the narrative voice to first person.
The Decision:
The decision, much like deciding whether to wear socks with sandals, was not one made on a whim. Parker, in his infinite wisdom, realized that the intimate vulnerabilities of Mr. Mathews could resonate more profoundly with readers if narrated through the lens of the protagonist himself. "It's like suddenly realizing you've been watching the universe from the wrong end of the telescope," Parker mused, probably while contemplating whether to wear his lucky socks and sip on his favorite red wine for the rewrite.
The Process:
The shift from third to first person isn't merely changing a few pronouns; it's akin to rearranging the universe's furniture without knowing where the coffee table is. Parker approached this with the meticulous care of a man reprogramming a time machine to avoid dinosaur encounters. Each character's internal monologue, once an external observation, now had to be voiced from within.
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Man-Hour Calculation:
- Parker estimated that for every 50,000 words, around 120 man-hours would be dedicated to the tense transformation. This included:
- Re-read and Re-think: 30 hours to understand the original intent and tone.
- First Draft Conversion: 60 hours, because changing "he thought" to "I thought" is deceptively complex.
- Editing and Ironing Out Kinks: 30 hours to smooth over any narrative wrinkles that might have appeared in the shift.
Challenges and Revelations:
The process wasn't without its trials. Parker found himself wrestling with the narrative voice, ensuring Mr. Mathews didn't sound like a different person or, worse, an AI trying to mimic human emotion. "It's like trying to teach a cat to play fetch," Parker explained, probably scratching his head or his cat, one can never be sure.
Moreover, the shift demanded a reevaluation of the story's structure. Scenes that worked in third person now needed to be seen through Mr. Mathews' eyes, which sometimes led to unexpected plot twists. "You think you know your characters until you start seeing life through their eyes," Parker noted, after discovering Mr. Mathews had an unexpressed passion writing himself and getting his words onto a page creating a metafiction within the character.
The Outcome:
As of our last update, Parker is still deep in the throes of this narrative metamorphosis. The project, though labor-intensive, has been described by Parker as "a mathematical problem where every solution is also a new equation. It feels like I’m starting the novel from scratch.” He's finding new depths in Mr. Mathews' character, turning what was a straightforward story into a rich, first-person odyssey.
In the end, Parker's decision to change the narrative voice of "Mr. Mathews" might just be as impactful as his efforts to correct the geometry on UK traffic signs. His dedication to the craft, shows that sometimes, the journey of writing is about finding the right perspective, even if it means a few extra hours staring at the screen.
And remember, if you're ever in doubt about the narrative voice in your own work, just ask Parker - he's probably got a formula for that too.
Parker will be publishing Mr.Mathews in 2025.
This article was written by “Parker” in 3rd person.