WIP Update: Changing Grades
Posted by annastan on February 25th, 2011. Filed under: Craft, WIP.My agent got back to me the other day with comments about the tween novel I’ve been working on. As usual, she had all sorts of wise things to say about it which made me rethink several elements in the story. One of those is the main character’s age. Right now she’s 14 and a freshman in high school. But, as my agent pointed out, her concerns and actions are a bit more middle school than high school (which I kind of knew already).
Joan suggested I bump my character down a grade so that she’s in eighth grade instead of ninth. Sounds easy, right? Sort of. While the character will actually remain 14, putting her back in middle school changes some of the things going on around her (proms, upperclassmen, etc.). I think it will work out in the end, but it’s one of several things I need to think about as I dive back into revising.
How are you all doing with your WIPs? Anyone else undertaking some big (or small) changes?
February 25th, 2011 at 7:48 am
If your character sounded a bit younger, hopefully it’s just the details you’ll need to change! I’m rewriting scenes and undergoing some changes to strengthen my story but there are always ripple effects!
February 25th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Hi Anna! I guess your character can’t be a naive immature 14 year old?? Ah, well. I always thought Grade 8 was more drama filled anyway – I’m sure you’ll find lots of things that will complicate the poor girls life!
I’m chugging away at my wip and loving it these days.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:48 am
I’ve got a similar problem with my WIP. I’m aiming it at readers aged 10-14 so I’ve made my MC 13. But I’d really rather she was 11 or 12… but I don’t think the book’s suitable for 8-year-olds. Sigh.
February 25th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Since January 1st I’ve been writing and rewriting chapter one. To be more specific, the opening. I had some great openers, but none that left me satisfied.
Until yesterday…
Yesterday I came up with a fantastic opening that really captures the story perfectly. I am so happy I could dance on a cloud.
I once had to change my character’s age. He was 10 at one time and I had to bump him up to 12. Lucky for me, there are no elements of an academic system so there was no major rewrites.
Good luck with yours.
February 25th, 2011 at 11:18 am
I’m changing the age and grade of my character right now too, but in the opposite way. I’m changing her from being 14 to being 16, which is causing a lot of difficulties (now her best friend has to be more of a love interest, and I’m finding so many other changes). Sigh, what doesn’t kill us will make us stronger right?
February 25th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
I’m not changing age, but I’m thinking of changing one of my WIPs from contemporary to dystopian, which will be major rewrite. I’m not doing this to jump on a trend but because I think it will be much fresher as a story.
February 25th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
I’ve had the grade question come up in every manuscript I’ve completed so far. It’s amazing the difference a year can make!
February 25th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
I’ve written over 3,000 words this week – and it’s about time, since being sick and traveling meant I wrote almost nothing for a month!
Your post really resonates for me – I’ve wavered back and forth about whether my MC is a HS freshman or a middle schooler, but after playing with it a bit I’m currently writing her as an 8th grader about to finish middle school. Not sure if that will stick though. I still sometimes think it would be better in terms of stakes to have her as a HS freshman.
February 25th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Ah, this happened to me. I was writing MG but it was really a YA.
I’m sure that you’ll figure it out. And the novel will be stronger because of it.
Have a great weekend!
February 25th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Good luck with the changes! I’m currently changing one of the WiP from contemporary to sci-fi — though it is still in the planning stage.
February 25th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Laura, ah yes the dreaded ripple effects. Good luck getting them under control!
Nelsa, you’re right that’s 8th grade is all about drama! So glad you’re loving your WIP!
GF, the nice thing about 13-year-old characters is that they can appeal to a wide range of readers. I hope the age thing falls into place for you!
TD, so glad you finally found the right opening! I hope it’s all smooth sailing for you from now on.
Tiana, it’s so hard to age your characters up or down, isn’t it? All sorts of things pop up that you’d never expect. We can do it!
February 25th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Patricia, that sounds like an intriguing change. I’m a HUGE fan of dystopian, so I definitely approve.
Shoshana, I often have the age issue too, but usually it pops up in pretty early drafts. The fact that this novel is very much “tween” probably adds to the difficulty.
Wow, Elisabeth, 3,000 words is fantastic! As Nelsa said, 8th grade is full of drama, so it’s definitely a good age for characters.
Karen, what’s funny is that this book has been tween from the beginning, so the fact that my audience is in-between probably explains the trouble I’m having with age. Oh the fun.
Emy, how cool! I looove sci-fi, so I’m all for it.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Oh my, that sounds like an interesting change.
I actually have a pair of characters that were messing up the entire middle-to climax of my story. They were two reporters, and their presence was necessary, but everything involving them was a confusing mess. I realized the scenes aren’t the problem–the motivations of the two reporters, and my MC’s related motivations, were all wrong.
I needed to scrap one reporter, switch the second’s role, and create a brand new leading character for the pair.
Did I mention I’m in like my 4th draft?
So yup, major changes for a nice big chunk of my novel, but it has to happen. And now that I figured out what the new character will be like (that in itself took a week of brainstorming) I find that making the needed edits is a lot easier than I dared hope. The trickle effect is very intense, though; I’m always amazed how much one detail can change things.
Good luck in your edits!
February 26th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
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March 4th, 2011 at 11:47 am
Just had to comment because i had a similar thing happen with my agent recently. Though I ended up with the opposite, changing the beginning to make it more clearly YA, which is actually a relief because I believe that to be necessary to the story and characters. *wipes forehead* I nearly had a panic attack though.
So changing ages is a very BIG deal!