Would you do this or is the die cast?

Thanks to all who responded with advice. It's so very appreciated, and obviously needed.

Mike - Are you saying be willing to spend the time doing the rewrite? Or the opposite? I wasn't sure of your point. I can see that my post was a bit ambiguous, now I re-read it. For clarification sake, I should have said I just finished the first draft. Don't know if that would make a difference in anyone's advice.

A couple of people have offered to beta read for me. One is my sister (so that one automatically gets discounted), and I'm doubtful that the other person has much experience with YA. But you make a good point, Becca.

Dalya said:

Don't change the POV. It's an enormous job, and likely won't make any difference to how the book does. (If your POV is truly close-limited, then the telling of the story shouldn't change if you do alter the pronoun throughout. If changing it to first-person alters a ton of content, then it's not really close-limited.)

Do a revision, and alter whatever parts you don't love. You CAN vary the narrative distance without changing POV.

Finish it, and put the time you save into a new project.

Click to expand...

I made a concerted effort not to head hop or jump POVs so, yeah, I believe it truly is 3rd close-limited. My concern was initially sparked by recalling a prior thread on KB about the best POV for YA. Most--and I could be remembering this wrong--weighed in that 1st person limited was typical or preferable. But as you say, if it makes little difference in how the book is received, spend the time on another project.

I know you're right, Cherise, that chances are good errors would be introduced that aren't there now. That was also a concern, knowing my tendencies, that it might wind up one giant convoluted mess.

Adam - It is lengthy. As I revise, I know there will be darlings to kill and things to omit. I already know that the middle sags like a thatched roof. Then again, I know there are many instances of sketchy characterization or description, so it may grow some in that regard.

gljones said:

I personally enjoy reading a first person book, however, I've seen some strong negative reactions from readers on this POV. I wonder what % of YA market is in first person? I bet it's pretty small. The no-nonsense business side of me says this is probably not a good idea. The starving artist in me says go for it and who cares what people think.

Have this argument with yourself and see who wins.

Click to expand...

I've been arguing with myself without a clear winner. I was hoping a clear answer would arise from you disinterested but all-knowing KBers. And I think it has.

So, unless there is a clear "market" reason for changing it, and since everyone here generally acknowledges what pain the back side it would be, I'll keep it as is. Can it be split into a series? I don't know, Emma, probably not. Maybe two at most. In fact, it almost reads like two distinct stories as it is. Something else that requires a cure.

Thanks again for your input, everybody. Happy New Year!