Robert
Administrator
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/846128/mauihat100x.jpg)
Communicate
![[homepage]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/buttons/www_sm.gif)
Joined: Mar 2008
Gender: Male 
Posts: 61
Location: Ohio
Karma: 0 |  | Get rid of the 1POV rule
« Thread Started on Oct 10, 2009, 3:02pm » | |
Many writers are told to stick to one POV (point of view) in each chapter or paragraph or section, never to stray from rendering a story from that viewpoint lest the poor reader be jostled into confusion.
Well, it's time to get over that idea.
I don't want to say that every story has to have multiple POVs in the same chapter or paragraph. Not all stories need to. But some do, and to be saddled by a rule that is not even steadfast is doing yourself and your writing a disservice.
First and foremost, writing should tell a good story. If two heads are needed to view that story, then don't make a big deal out of it. Be sure your POV changes are clear, and tell the story.
I prefer to remain in a viewpoint when I read. It makes me feel for the character. Currently, I'm reading Hardy Boys mysteries to my son, and since there are two Hardy Boys, the POV is almost always from both their heads in each chapter, and at least once from within the same paragraph. I didn't care for that paragraph change, but have not minded any of the other shifts in POV.
Does the story suffer? Maybe, but not much. I think I'd be able to remember which Hardy boy was younger and which was the blond, and so on, easier if the POV didn't shift, but just as in many romance novels where the author wants to tell about what each of the lovers is thinking at the same time, so must the Hardys sometimes headhop just a little bit onto the pages.
When done skilfully, it doesn't hurt at all.
Many writers who stick to one POV still manage to hurt the reader's sensibilities, so let's not make our preferences into the rules for everyone. Enjoy the story if you can and if not, find something else to read.
|
**** ****
THRIPZ, Now on Amazon!
A reporter with a faulty 6th sense comes
to the rescue when competing farms unleash
killer insects on the island of Oahu.
****
www.THRIPZ.com
**** **** |
|
![[Home]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/home.gif)
![[Help]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/help.gif)
![[Search]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/search.gif)
![[Login]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/login.gif)
![[Register]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/register.gif)
![[Search This Thread]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/search2.gif)
![[Send Topic To Friend]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/buttons/sendtopic.gif)
![[Print]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif)
Author
Logged
