Wednesday 22 October 2014

What time is it There?

After typing until the letters on my laptop have worn off I now have three manuscripts of the same novel:  'Hens Lay, People Lie' or 'Something Missing', or 'What Time is it There?' They all have similar content, but what fun it has been to write the same story with a different reader in mind.

1: Literary Fiction. Working title 'Hens Lay, People Lie'. This title comes from the novel where Diane tells Maggie she is going to lay out  in the sun. The ever correct older Maggie replies, 'Hens Lay, People lie.' If you don't believe she is right check Theodore Bernstein's The Careful Writer. It also applies to the fact that Maggie lies in her letters to Diane.
In this draft is embedded dialogue in three points of view: Maggie in first person narration, Diane in third person and an older Diane talking about the highs and lows of crafting a novel in second person. This version was written for the PhD by artefact and exegesis and for people who like to become intellectually engaged and have to work at what they read.

2: Popular Fiction. Working title 'something Missing'. I realized that before they met, both women were missing something important from their lives Their long pen-friendship fills the gap.
I've added dialogue marks and have only two narratives. I deleted the overarching voice of the older Diane. I felt that it could be considered intrusive by the reader and break up the narrative of the two main characters; Maggie and the young Diane. This version is aimed at women who simply want a good, uplifting story

3: Popular Fiction. Working title 'What time is it There'. On the first page Maggie is facing a crisis. She want to talk to Diane but doesn't know what time it is in Australia. This is a reoccurring theme throughout the novel and reveals the problem of the tyranny of distance between friends. Dialogue marks are added to two narratives both in third person narration. I did this so that one character wasn't privileged over the other. Both have something to gain from forming a relationship. To increase tension and suspense this version of the manuscript has moved further into fiction. 'What Time is it There' is for women aged between twenty and one hundred, and the men who wish to understand them.

Now...all I have to do is find a publisher. Any suggestions?

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