First Comes Love, as some of you already know, flips
narratives between the two protagonists, Dylan and Gray. This actually wasn’t
the way the original manuscript was written. The very first manuscript was
written completely in Gray’s perspective. I had a lot of fun writing a book
from the guy’s point of view. It was refreshing, and challenging as a writer. I
used to teach creative writing in high school, and I always had my students do
an opposite gender monologue, because I think it’s important to try and
understand people outside of ourselves, our ages, and our genders. It also
opens up your mind to move and think and see in ways you can’t do when you
write just from one gender.
So, after writing the first draft, I talked it over with my
editor, Julia. She said, “You know, I want to see a bit more of Dylan in this
story. I want to know her better.” At first we discussed rewriting the book
from Dylan’s perspective, but that would have changed the entire story. There
were so many scenes I loved specifically because they were Gray’s words.
I thought it over and said, “Julia, this isn’t Dylan’s story
to tell. It’s Gray’s story.” We agreed that flipping narratives would be a
great option, but Dylan is a strong character that tends to steal the spotlight
whenever she enters a scene (which is why we love her, right?). So, in my
rewrites I was very careful not to let her take the spotlight from Gray.
Although Dylan is a huge character and a major catalyst to the story, I still
wanted to keep her character a little more mysterious, and Gray’s character the
main voice and central focus.
When I talk about my book with people, they either tend to
side more with Dylan, or more with Gray (although it appears everyone roots for them as a couple). I think that’s great. They are very, very,
different people, which, in my opinion, usually make the best relationships (if
they can make it work). Will Dylan and Gray make it work? You'll have to read it to find out. :)
