Johanna's big thoughts

At Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, I had the good fortune of pitching my middle grade novel to an agent who knew immediately how I should revise.  Experience and efficiency are amazing qualities.  She asked me very few questions, told me what to do, and we had five minutes left of our ten-minute appointment.

Wow.

In response, I immersed myself in reading primary sources–mostly hours and hours of interviews. I learned more about the framing of my character’s life–the culture and history.  I did my own interviews.

Then I came back to my story and I asked constantly:  how do I understand my character better?  Are the words I’ve written authentic to his experience?  Would he say these words? Would he know these things? Are his reactions to his new environment authentic?  Are the metaphors right for a character with his life?

I didn’t add a bit of backstory to the book.  I only altered the plot in subtle ways.  But my protagonist?  His view of the world has changed in so many tiny ways.  There are triggers for the development of his character in places I never expected.

I just finished this revision and the story is so much stronger than it was.  Experience matters. Research informs the imagination.  I’ve learned so much.