The Benefits of Marination

When you put a story aside for a few months or even years does it stay in your head? Then when you take it out and reread it, has it changed? I mean changed from what you remember? Mine certainly has. It’s not as riveting as I had it in my mind. That’s definitely not good, but at least I recognize it. I didn’t while I was hammering the story out on the keyboard.

Also I’m having some trouble making my MC older as I change the book from a Middle Grade to a YA. I keep thinking of him as 12 and have to sit back and try to visualize him as the 16 year old I want him to be. The interesting thing is that I know who he used to be, almost as if while the book was in the closet, the kid had a few birthdays. I can refer to him in ways I couldn’t before, like, bring up habits he had when he was younger or mention how different his tastes are now than a few years ago.  This is another interesting development that leads me to think marinating a manuscript has value.

Well, marinating an author helps too, so it’s a two way street. Take a look at what WRITERJENN has to say about finding depth in characters as a writer matures. She refers to TABITHA’S WRITER MUSINGS, and when I read both of these, I thought, “We’re somewhat the same page at the same time.”

Speaking of marination . . . Since I tucked that other YA I was so passionate about a few weeks ago into a folder, it’s been rattling around in the back of my brain and the MC keeps crooking his finger in my direction while I’m making my way through a day. Another good reason to set a WIP aside and ignore it a bit?  Maybe my characters are competing for my attention and will help me out if I give them some. Just a minute! I’m busy. Be right with you.