As I sit here, coffee in hand, surrounded by the familiar clutter of my writing space, I find myself deep in the trenches of rewriting my novel, Mr. Mathews. It's been a journey, to say the least. A journey fraught with indecision, sleepless nights, and countless revisions.
Mr. Mathews is no ordinary protagonist. He's a functioning alcoholic teacher who finds himself entangled in a series of increasingly bizarre and perilous scenarios. His story is complex, raw, and unapologetically human. It's a narrative that demands to be told with authenticity and depth.
For the longest time, I wrestled with the decision of whether to write in first or third person. Each perspective offered its own unique advantages, but neither felt entirely right. Third person allowed for a broader scope, a more detached view of Mr. Mathews' world. Yet, it lacked the intimacy and immediacy I craved.
It wasn't until recently that I decided to take the plunge and rewrite the entire manuscript in the first person. This decision wasn't made lightly. I knew it would be a Herculean task, one that would consume more time and energy than I could probably afford. But something about telling the story from Mr. Mathews' own voice felt undeniably compelling.
So here I am, deep in the throes of rewriting. Each sentence, each word, is meticulously crafted to reflect the inner turmoil and struggles of Mr. Mathews. It's a slow process, painstakingly slow, but the end result promises to be worth it.
Rewriting in the first person has brought a new layer of depth to Mr. Mathews' character. His thoughts, his fears, his vulnerabilities—they all come to life in a way that feels more real, more immediate. It's as if I'm no longer just telling his story; I'm living it alongside him.
There are moments when doubt creeps in, whispering that I'm wasting my time, that the third person was good enough. But then, I remind myself why I started this journey in the first place. To tell a story that resonates, a story that captivates and moves its readers.
So, I continue to write, to rewrite, to pour my heart and soul into every page. Because in the end, it's not just about telling Mr. Mathews' story—it's about doing it justice.