In the quiet corners of literary history, where tales of writing and rewriting often go untold, there exists a saga as compelling as any novel: the story of Parker and his novel, Mr. Mathews. This isn't just a story of literary ambition but of sheer endurance, dedication, and transformation. Here's how Parker turned what started as a third-person narrative into a first-person exploration over a grueling six weeks.
The Decision
Parker's initial draft of Mr. Mathews was written in the third person, a choice that allowed him a panoramic view of his characters' lives. However, after feedback from his writing group and beta readers, Parker realized that the story's emotional impact would be significantly heightened if told through the eyes of the protagonist, Mr. Mathews himself. The decision to switch to first-person narration was not taken lightly; it was a commitment to delve deep into the psyche of his character, to live through his eyes, to think his thoughts.
The Challenge
Switching the narrative voice from third to first person is no minor edit. It's a complete overhaul:
- Perspective Shift: Every "he" had to become "I", every "his" turned into "mine". This wasn't merely a find-and-replace operation; it required a reevaluation of how scenes were described, how thoughts were conveyed, and how the character interacted with the world around him.
- Voice Consistency: Parker had to ensure that Mr. Mathews's voice remained consistent throughout. This meant revisiting dialogue, internal monologues, and narrative descriptions to match the character's personality, vocabulary, and emotional depth.
- Pacing and Information: In third person, the narrative often provides information that the character isn't aware of. Now, Parker had to manage what Mr. Mathews knew, when he knew it, and how he reacted to revelations, which affected the pacing and structure of the story.
The Six-Week Marathon
- Week 1: The Deep Dive - Parker started by changing the obvious pronouns and adjusting direct thoughts. This week was about laying the groundwork. Each sentence was scrutinized for its alignment with the first-person voice.
- Week 2-3: Character Immersion - Here, Parker immersed himself in Mr. Mathews's life, thoughts, and emotions. He rewrote scenes, sometimes entirely, to reflect how Mr. Mathews would perceive them. This period was crucial for building character depth.
- Week 4: Technical Tuning - The focus shifted to the mechanics of storytelling. How does Mr. Mathews tell his story? Is his narrative style reflective of his character traits? Parker tweaked syntax, vocabulary, and even the rhythm of the prose to match Mr. Mathews's persona.
- Week 5: Plot Integration - With the voice more or less set, Parker looked at how the plot unfolded through Mr. Mathews's eyes. This required some reordering of events, introductions, and sometimes, the elimination of scenes where the narrative voice felt off.
- Week 6: Final Adjustments and Proofreading - The last week was for polishing. Parker read through the entire manuscript, ensuring that the transition to first person was seamless. He checked for any remnants of the third-person narrative that might have slipped through, and he fine-tuned the emotional and narrative arcs.
The Outcome
After six weeks, Mr. Mathews was reborn. The novel now offered readers a more intimate and emotionally charged experience. The transition not only refined the character's voice but also brought a new level of authenticity to the narrative. Parker's dedication to this reimagining had turned a good novel into a potentially great one, with a depth that only a first-person perspective could provide.
Parker's journey through the tense transformation of Mr. Mathews is a testament to the craft of writing. It's a reminder that sometimes, to tell the story we envision, we must be willing to rewrite it entirely. Through perseverance, Parker didn't just change the tense of his novel; he changed its very soul.