How to Conquer Writer’s Block: Tip 82
THE ATTICUS FACTOR
I have begun a new middle grade novel. It is in the embryo stage. I always relearn the same writing lessons when writing a new book, and pick up a few new ones along the way.
One thing that I ALWAYS relearn: my characters change and grow during the rough draft as I experience what moves me, and the story I want to tell. I strongly believe that’s what happened to Harper Lee’s Atticus during her rough draft. Racist Rough Draft Atticus morphed into Tolerant Final Draft Atticus in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, as the author rewrote and discovered Scout’s story.
As I write my own rough draft I know that my characters will change in successive drafts. This gives me a lovely sense of freedom to experiment and learn during the beginning stages. I would hate to think that these early conceptualizations would ever get published.
Just sayin’.
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