Perspective

Lady Eruwaedhiel · **Posted:** January 22nd, 2012, 12:07 pm

"You know what I'm craving? A little perspective. That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?"

I'm curious what you all think of perspective in a book. Most of my book is in first person (I, my) from one girl, but I insert multiple third person perspectives (he, his) from other characters throughout the book. I've been assured that this isn't a problem, but I've recently discovered bits of things that couldn't possibly be witnessed by any of the characters. Almost like the author is coming in and saying "Oh, by the way, this happened while they were gone." I thought about ending the perspective that had been telling the story and then putting in the bits as a different perspective, almost like an omniscient storyteller. But I don't want omniscient perspective.

Here's an example:

Quote:

Fairivel turned back to the window, watching the wings of dusk spread over the world. Then he sat back down on his bed and picked up the quill as calmly if he’d never had a son. His fingers trembled slightly, the only sign of the storm of emotion inside him.

♦♦♦

In the gardens far below, a hand reached into the heart of a Starflower and drew out something that glowed dimly in the fading light.

Elly · **Joined:** October 22nd, 2010, 7:58 am **Posts:** 4197

I do this quite a bit as well. I'm watching this thread for any help and/or input people have.

Thanks for starting, E!

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** January 22nd, 2012, 12:50 pm

That's a storyteller. And, if well done, it's quite beautiful. I do it sometimes; more often in short stories than in my novels. I think it's perfectly acceptable, because ultimately it is the author telling a story... but a lot of it hinges on your style, and on how it's executed. Is it startling, pulling your reader out of the story? Or is it subtle, a chill of foreboding that flows along with the rest?

Lady Eruwaedhiel · **Posted:** January 22nd, 2012, 1:20 pm

I really don't know. Which was why I was hoping someone here would have some input about that.

Cadenza · **Posted:** January 22nd, 2012, 3:22 pm

"Well, since you're all out of perspective..."
I want to do my book only with the perspective of my four main characters, but at the same time I also want to narrate sections where those characters are not present. So I'm either going to have to skip the parts

or make an exception.
::will watch this thread closely::

Willow Wenial Mimetes · **Joined:** September 27th, 2009, 1:28 pm **Posts:** 1588

Hmmmm...

From reading things you have written, I would say I enjoy the kind of writing you just excerpted.

However.... I think it should be kept to a minimum. Personally, I think that too much omniscient storytelling detracts from character development.

PrincessoftheKing · **Posted:** January 23rd, 2012, 9:44 pm

I've never a story that changed perspectives sometimes... sounds interesting.

Anyway, I liked the excerpt you gave us. I didn't feel like it pulled me out of the story, which is what too much omniscient does, I think. Like Willow said, it distracts from character development. But if you use it sparingly, it could be a useful tool.

Perspective

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