Loving this. Thank you for sharing. I work with clients often on their own narrative pivots, usually focused on how they see their personal stories and how that is reflected into the world. But recently, I experienced exactly what you were talking about. I took a chapter of my book, the opening chapter, and moved it way way back. It hurt at first. I winced. But once done, I saw what space needed to be filled. What was missing in its place. And that missing piece changed the story in so many wonderful ways. Great essay!
Thanks, Kathleen! It really is a rewarding part of my Coaching work, helping people notice or create the “turning points” in their own stories and then seeing how those shifts ripple into their lives. The bonus is being able to play with these shifts in my characters ;)
I found this really interesting, Kate. I'm looking forward to seeing how your story turns out!
I now see why the constant use of the word pivot in recent years has often baffled me. If it's related to a move in basketball, a sport barely played in England and of which I have a very imperfect grasp, my confusion makes more sense to me...
Well I guess the word comes from Old French but yeah, makes sense why you have seen it more frequently. If you haven't watched it in action, Kobe Bryant is a good place to start! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44KHGBfOpNE
I guess I always thought of a pivot as “the central point, pin, or shaft on which a mechanism turns or oscillates” to quote a dictionary definition. I'm still catching up with more recent usage 😊
You can spin a basket ball on your finger? We are not worthy! 🫡
Very interested to hear that you are unafraid to change direction. I think it's a healthy way to go. Personally when I'm not satisfied with the way a piece is going I will keep working on it for as long as I think I can salvage it, but there comes a point when you have to be ruthless. I am working on something at the moment that I am having difficulty with; a sensitive topic that requires me to convey my meaning with precision. I'm hoping I can publish it but it could go either way!
That's it exactly, but if I get it wrong...ouch! Also when you spend a long time on something, you don't want to see it all go to waste, but there's no point flogging a dead horse as the charming saying goes!
Yeah good question and related. It seems like it was planned as entertainment then that was part of the shift linked with a mixed genre. I don’t know for sure. What do you think? The Third Man (which I mention in the footnotes) was written to be a film so there was a definite distinction in terms of the arc of the story and dialogue etc.
Here’s to pivots big and small! The writing-teacher voice in my head that leads to the best pivots is, “make it weirder.” 🙃
That’s a useful mantra, Jules!
Enjoyed reading this! I am a big fan of the pivot and feel like I have done quite a lot of it in personal and writing projects!
Thanks Kate! You do seem to embrace the pivot mindset.
Loving this. Thank you for sharing. I work with clients often on their own narrative pivots, usually focused on how they see their personal stories and how that is reflected into the world. But recently, I experienced exactly what you were talking about. I took a chapter of my book, the opening chapter, and moved it way way back. It hurt at first. I winced. But once done, I saw what space needed to be filled. What was missing in its place. And that missing piece changed the story in so many wonderful ways. Great essay!
Thanks Mary-Brennan! Interesting that you see this with your clients as well as your own work. Sounds like a cool project/job.
Thanks, Kathleen! It really is a rewarding part of my Coaching work, helping people notice or create the “turning points” in their own stories and then seeing how those shifts ripple into their lives. The bonus is being able to play with these shifts in my characters ;)
Change is the only constant in the universe. Pivot away! Have fun with it. And happy to hear that you're settled in.
Thanks Alexander! Wise words.
"I’ve learned not to fear pivots." Vital and enviable life skill...I'm working on it!
Exciting about your novel!
I found this really interesting, Kate. I'm looking forward to seeing how your story turns out!
I now see why the constant use of the word pivot in recent years has often baffled me. If it's related to a move in basketball, a sport barely played in England and of which I have a very imperfect grasp, my confusion makes more sense to me...
Thanks Jeffrey!
Well I guess the word comes from Old French but yeah, makes sense why you have seen it more frequently. If you haven't watched it in action, Kobe Bryant is a good place to start! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44KHGBfOpNE
I guess I always thought of a pivot as “the central point, pin, or shaft on which a mechanism turns or oscillates” to quote a dictionary definition. I'm still catching up with more recent usage 😊
I am always catching up 😄 I am lucky to teach teens.
You can spin a basket ball on your finger? We are not worthy! 🫡
Very interested to hear that you are unafraid to change direction. I think it's a healthy way to go. Personally when I'm not satisfied with the way a piece is going I will keep working on it for as long as I think I can salvage it, but there comes a point when you have to be ruthless. I am working on something at the moment that I am having difficulty with; a sensitive topic that requires me to convey my meaning with precision. I'm hoping I can publish it but it could go either way!
Sounds like this is a great example of when perseverance is more important. Like you can see the purpose of continuing even if it’s difficult?
Thanks Jules. And my spin is no Harlem Globetrotter quality but it’s fun. 😆
That's it exactly, but if I get it wrong...ouch! Also when you spend a long time on something, you don't want to see it all go to waste, but there's no point flogging a dead horse as the charming saying goes!
You're too modest - impressive! 🏀✨
Greene always divided his novels into "entertainments" and more serious things- I'm wondering what category "Brighton Rock" belongs to...
Yeah good question and related. It seems like it was planned as entertainment then that was part of the shift linked with a mixed genre. I don’t know for sure. What do you think? The Third Man (which I mention in the footnotes) was written to be a film so there was a definite distinction in terms of the arc of the story and dialogue etc.