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A Matter of Perspective
https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8474		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Lyza [ February 1st, 2014, 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  A Matter of Perspective
(I'm hoping this is in the right place, but I'm not sure)
Perspective in writing has always been something I've tried to consider closely. In my current work, a fantasy trilogy, I am trying to write the story from two perspectives, third person. The story is seen through the viewpoints of two characters. However, the plot requires many things to happen outside of their immediate experience. I could simply switch persons and include someone else when the situation arises, however I think that would make the writing too choppy, so some major events of the story are heard through letters or word of mouth.

This gets frustrating, as you can imagine. Any words of wisdom regarding how to handle writing a dual-perspective novel? Any other comments on perspective would be welcomed as well!
Author:  Jakorosin Darksbane [ February 2nd, 2014, 10:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A Matter of Perspective
I think the really pertinent question here is: are you firmly determined that the novel needs to only have two POVs?

I ask because, in epic fantasy, it's an accepted and even respected practice to have more than two (or three, or four) point of view characters. I am reminded of a collaborative work-in-progress of mine where, once the characters were sufficiently developed, the two-person POV suddenly became a four-person POV. And it worked! (At least, I think so. ;))

Switching persons shouldn't make the writing too choppy; so long as you have a 'set' of POV characters and stick with them. I believe there are a couple of Writing Excuses podcasts that deal with POV... *goes to hunt*

Here, take a listen to these two.
An examination of the Omniscient viewpoint
An in-depth dissection of Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings, including quite a lot about his POV choices.

Hope that helps!

(I should write a blog post about this sometime...)
Author:  Mistress Kidh [ February 2nd, 2014, 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Matter of Perspective
Jakorosin Darksbane wrote:
I think the really pertinent question here is: are you firmly determined that the novel needs to only have two POVs?
And a question to contrast Jak's (;)): are you determined that the reader needs to know that much?

In an epic fantasy, often the only way to make the narrative at all coherent to the reader is to use various POV's. However in other kinds of stories, or even in some epics, one of the charms is to not know some things, and explanation, when necessary, can be kept to a minimum as well. Not knowing everything is sometimes one of the charms of a story, because it forces the reader to be even more in tune with what the main POV (or POV's) is thinking and understanding.

Lyza wrote:
I could simply switch persons and include someone else when the situation arises, however I think that would make the writing too choppy, so some major events of the story are heard through letters or word of mouth.
I agree that just swapping POV whenever it seems convenient can end up choppy. I have seen it done pretty well... but it has to fit with the book and what is best with the book's essence.

Jakorosin Darksbane wrote:
Switching persons shouldn't make the writing too choppy; so long as you have a 'set' of POV characters and stick with them.
A 'set' of POV characters is easiest to keep a good grip on, I agree.

But, also, if you are going to use a POV just once, I think it's best to limit the amount of time you spend in it, or else it brings up expectations with the reader that it's going to come back later.

Lyza wrote:
Any words of wisdom regarding how to handle writing a dual-perspective novel?
Make sure to keep a good balance between them. :)
Author:  Lyza [ February 3rd, 2014, 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Matter of Perspective
Thanks for the suggestions! I have another novel in which POV is switched quite often, and I don't find it too intolerably choppy...however, this novel definitely delves deeper into the characters, their thoughts, struggles and conflicts. Because there are two MCs and two plotlines for part of the story, I don't think I want to expand my POVs.
Author:  Kya Lightwing [ February 3rd, 2014, 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Matter of Perspective
Lyza wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions! I have another novel in which POV is switched quite often, and I don't find it too intolerably choppy...however, this novel definitely delves deeper into the characters, their thoughts, struggles and conflicts. Because there are two MCs and two plotlines for part of the story, I don't think I want to expand my POVs.


From what you say here, I think it should be fine :) One option would be to look in to the antagonist's perspective a little more. I've found that personally, three POVs make things a bit more interesting.
Author:  Lyza [ February 3rd, 2014, 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Matter of Perspective
That's definitely an interesting idea...I actually have approx. 5 antagonists, but only two, maybe even one, are just plain "bad guys", many are family members or kind of good but not really sort of antagonists.
Author:  Kya Lightwing [ February 3rd, 2014, 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Matter of Perspective
Lyza wrote:
That's definitely an interesting idea...I actually have approx. 5 antagonists, but only two, maybe even one, are just plain "bad guys", many are family members or kind of good but not really sort of antagonists.

Cool :) ah, I see. Well do whatever feels best for your story :rofl:
Author:  Lyza [ February 5th, 2014, 1:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Matter of Perspective
Kyana Lightwing wrote:
Lyza wrote:
That's definitely an interesting idea...I actually have approx. 5 antagonists, but only two, maybe even one, are just plain "bad guys", many are family members or kind of good but not really sort of antagonists.

Cool :) ah, I see. Well do whatever feels best for your story :rofl:


Thanks! We'll see what comes of it...my preoccupation with character development plus writing from a dual-perspective will hopefully lend my characters a depth that will strengthen the story.
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