Point of View
Thu, 2009-04-30 21:12
#1
Point of View
I'd like to ask anyone who feels qualified to talk about POV issues. I have been away from ABCTales for a long time, and in that time I've written a novel. Well I have received a reply from an agent telling me that I've screwed up in terms of POV in my first few chapters. I am not unwilling to take this on board, it's just that, whatever else is wrong with the story, I think it reads okay and has some merit. Just how strict should one be with POV? Is there no room for manoeuvre here? Also, should I just roll over and re-write the whole bloody thing and, if I do that, what do I do with the thoughts of minor or short-lived characters that I want to show? Isn't this POV thing just a bit arbitrary? Anyone got any thoughts?
_elle_
Firstly, point of view as in first person, second etc? And what point of view did you write it in?
-Lynze
Wrestler
POV is vitally important for good writing, it is one of the basic 'rules' you need to observe, like 'show don't tell'.
When you write a section of a book, you should write it from only one character's point of view, through their eyes. You can change this (such as if the scene shifts and the character is no longer present!) but not too often, and never in the same chapter, unless you have a very strong reason.
The reason is simple - readers don't want to look at the action from on high, all knowing all seeing:
' Mary felt uncomfortable when Jeff looked at her. He thought she was beautiful and was longing to talk to her. The waiter wondered why they were staring at each other.' - that's BAD POV (three of them in one para). it's simply boring.
They want to BE one of the characters, only know what they know see what they see, etc. That way, they can get involved, second-guess the author, try to predict, get surprised, etc etc - in other words - involvement. Get a reader involved and you have hooked them.
'Mary felt uncomfortable under Jeff's gaze. Did he fancy her? She noticed the waiter was looking at them.' ... see?
Okay, many older writers didn't use such techniques in the past, but it sure a hell works ...
boromir
Hi
Been away from the site for a while so just catching up.
If you're up for buying a book then "Characters and Viewpoint" by Orson Scott Card helped me to figure out the POV business. As well as first and third person, he talks about the “omniscient narrator” who sees everything. It can be appropriate in some circumstances, but gives an impression of distance from the action. Which ever you choose, being consistent is probably the key to it.
Any help?
Cheers
B.
whiskey
Is it possible for you to post a chapter, or part of a chapter, so that we can see what the agent's talking about?
chuck
I like the multiple narrator approach myself. One can be omniscient, another involved, another bored stiff etc. It allows me to air a few of my own identity issues.