More Truth About Writing

An extract from the Mystery Thriller Week-

Let me tell you, being a writer can be terrifying. All I know is that I couldn’t write stuff that didn’t matter. So without giving too much away, my debut novel is about grooming and sexual exploitation. It is written using alternating chapters from the POV of protagonist and those who control her. As the story progresses, we hear more from those who genuinely care for her, though. The alternating voices allowed for some troughs as opposed to the heightening, teenage tension. Using contrasting perspective was interesting.
I was made aware of this in a book a read called ‘Amity & Sorrow.’ This is where Peggy Riley used alternating voices from the three main characters along with contrasting timelines! She explained, there were 2 POVs in 3rd. That involved 3 timelines – 2 forward, 1 backward. Her intelligent fiction was based on the Waco Siege. I found this compelling novel from Little Brown & Co. works well. The historical fiction is about escaping cult life and was an inspiration. I highly recommend it.
False expectation leads to rude awakening for my character, Grace. She seeks the whole ‘good life’ package, instead she’s tagged with an AKA that is undeserved. The intolerable injustice of her story is traumatic; on a journey through coming-of-age she deters others following along that slippery path. I give fair warning to readers that there is a rape scene.
We owe it to the reader to be authentic and hopeful in fiction. Getting the balance is the thing! Right?
Basically, Grace learns the hard way from her experience. That is what a protagonist’s job is, I believe. Then, I found her character profile develop adding layers as she matured. I guess a distinguishable character profile is really useful for crime writing in general…
No spoilers here. The bringing of the 74,000 words together was tricky. Outlining might have helped! The answer, this time was to chunk it into 50,000 word slots and line those up with chapter details. Was there an easier way, I wonder to order a runaway manuscript?
Lastly, I was wondering whether ‘happy ever after’ endings work, now days?
Did they ever?