Yesterday I read a critique by a critter of another writer’s story. That’s the beauty of critique groups, you not only get to hear what you’re doing wrong/right, you also get to hear what others do wrong/right.
The comment, in a paraphrased nutshell: I like that your MC is doing something instead of running. Seems like every YA out there now has the Female MC running from the Big Bad.
This comment was a stab to my heart. I’m currently pumping out words to fill in my NaNovel. My MC had just exited a corn field and started heading west away from the Big Bad and toward her mother. Now, in my MC’s defense (the worst word we can use when talking about our writing, btw), she planned to rescue her mother.
It was a plan discussed between her father, herself and her brother. But then the BIG BAD got really ugly and she took off, leaving behind Brother and Dad.
I read that comment and my MC screeched to a halt. She turned back around and entered the corn field to retrace her steps and DO something.
What? I have no feckin’ clue.
Has your writing ever taken an unexpected U-Turn? If so, how did that work out for you? What prompted you to change directions? Were you ultimately happy that you did?
Curious minds want to know.
Words from the Woods 