A Certain Point of View
Happy Spring!
The weather is certainly much improved than it was when I last posted. Temperatures have warmed up, the grass is green, and flowers are blooming. I can honestly say I have never been happier to see the arrival of spring!
Spring is the time for new beginnings, and I will soon begin a new adventure of my own--tackling the edits for the second book in my Ladies of Roderick Glen series, The Dressmaker. I'm very excited about it and hope you will be, too :)
It's been over two months since The Piano Teacher released and I am incredibly grateful for all the kind messages and support I've received. It has definitely been interesting (not to mention scary) to read the reviews. It's amazing how divided opinion can be over the same piece of work.
I have often been asked why I chose to write The Piano Teacher from so many different points of view. Historical romance is usually written with only or two points of view, and my book is definitely a departure from that. The hero and heroine are the two most important characters in The Piano Teacher and certainly receive most of the attention; however, the supporting cast also have their own storylines and perspectives.
I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by this question at first. I had honestly never realized that my style of story-telling is a bit different than what my target audience might expect. Once my eyes were opened to that, I realized it is true. Writing from different perspectives is what sets my work apart, but like anything that is unusual, it will also be subject to a wide array of opinions.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, but I am also an avid reader of fantasy. The inclusion of multiple characters and many different viewpoints is a common feature of fantasy novels. As a reader, I like to get to know the supporting characters. I like to know what they're thinking and feeling. Those influences have spilled over into my own writing.
I have tried to write stories with simpler plot lines and fewer characters, but I have never been able to finish one successfully. It's almost as if my brain is hard wired to write stories with lots of characters and multiple points of view. So I have learned to just go with it and hope that my readers will like it, as well.
That being said, I want my readers to know that I have listened to their concerns. While editing The Dressmaker, I will do everything I can to tighten the story and delete excess viewpoints that aren't central to the story.
In the end, I know that everyone is different and what appeals to some readers may not appeal to all. An author cannot be a success without readers, and your opinions definitely matter to me! I appreciate all of you, and thanks for sticking with me as we continue our journey through Roderick Glen.