Well, following my train of thought, you had to know that this one is coming.
I’m rewriting of course and thinking about setting as personal symbols for my POV character. In my original draft, the opening scene focuses on an event, one whose significance doesn’t show up until later. But, with my rethinking–I’ve rethought this too. It’s strange in its own way. I hadn’t planned it out when I wrote it–but it fits and fits solidly into a greater context. Maybe my subconscious knew when I first wrote it–now I’m using it to what I hope will be powerful effect to those who read deeply.
My character wants something in this scene and she’s willing to risk for it. In my original draft, it’s vanity that motivates. She just wants this thing and getting it leads her into trouble.
In this draft, I’ve changed why she wants it. It’s no longer vanity–and more importantly, what she thinks it will do once she gets it comes into play…because now this item is a symbol–and she doesn’t understand what it represents when she gets it. She doesn’t understand that the nature of the item, it grants her desire, yes–but unexpectedly.
Setting as personal symbolism for the POV character. And now a step even farther–Symbol that has meaning as a symbol, beyond the comprehension of the character.
