When writers come to me for edits, most of them are writing in the third person. This is probably the easiest, and most common, point of view used by writers. There are two types of third person pov: limited and omniscient. Most writers use limited, and this discussion will focus mainly on limited.
But for the sake of getting all of our terms defined, take a look at this very simple definition of each:
Omniscient third person pov: sees all and knows all; godlike.
Limited third person pov: is told from ONE character's pov; character perspective can change from scene to scene or chapter to chapter; reader only knows what the pov character sees, hears, and thinks.
Third person pov uses "he, she, it" when referring to the point of view character. Observations only come from the point of view character, including visual, auditory, and mental observations. Like first person, the reader only knows what the third person pov character knows, sees, and hears.
Here's an example of limited third person from my women's fiction manuscript, A Life Unraveled:
"Excuse me? Wha-what did you say? Who died?"
Katie Wilcox wanted to argue with the man. And he wasn't even her husband.
With the phone receiver in one hand and the still processing pregnancy test in the other, Katie thought she would explode with impatience.
"That there's been a death in your family," the unfamiliar voice repeated.
Katie's pacing halted. She'd heard the man correctly.
Above, we know that Katie is our pov character. Everything revolves around what she says, hears, and thinks.We don't know the thoughts or visuals of the caller.
The difference between first and third person pov is that third person point of view can allow several characters to be the point of view character within a chapter as along as the scene changes. You will see highly successful writers use this pov and change the pov character mid-paragraph. Pick up any Nora Roberts book and read the first two chapters. Inevitably the reader will be introduced to the female and male main characters, and the reader will be put into both of their pov's, sometimes within the same paragraph or scene. Newbie writers should not attempt to do this. I truly believe that highly successful writers can get away with writing stunts like that because their publishers/editors know they will sell solely based on their name and not their writing. This is in no way bashing Nora Roberts's writing. I love her, but I know enough that I cannot use the same writing techniques that she uses.
During a writing workshop, the instructor talked about writing in deep pov. That will be the topic of a future post.
Do you write in third person? Do you like to read books written in third person? What's your preference?
Showing posts with label Writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writing. Show all posts
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Writing in 1st Person POV
At my day job, point of view (pov) is the hardest thing for my authors to grasp. Many of them believe that "head-hopping" (going from one pov to another pov) is acceptable. I admit that there are a multitude of published books that do just this. Pick up any Nora Roberts book and you will see this in action for yourself. Her chapters will start out with, for example, the female character's pov, but a few paragraphs later, the male's pov takes over. She may even shift several more times within the same scene or chapter.
I believe that established writers can get away with this, but that new writers can not.
If you're just starting out, a refresher (or even a first time lesson) about point of view is a good thing to help with your craft.
There are several forms of point of view, but today I'll be concentrating on first person.
I love to write in first person point of view. I really feel like I get into my character's head and become them as the story enfolds. But, interestingly enough, writing experts say that newbie writers should not use first person point of view. It is too confusing, and writers are setting themselves up for failure due to the amount of mistakes that they make.
I say, write what you want - both content and point of view. BUT...make sure you understand pov before embarking on your writing journey. Pov slips happen, and a newbie writer can't allow too many slips, or the reader will know you're a newbie.
A Quick Refresher on First Person Point of View
First person point of view is written from the scene character's (usually the main character) point of view. Everything that is written is what the character sees, hears, says, and thinks. "I" is used primarily.
Example:
Okay, so with the above example (the first part of my story, Saving Redwind) you can see that the character's point of view is used. "I" and "my math homework" show that the writer is using first person point of view.
Here's the deal with first person pov that you MUST remember: the author can only write what the scene character sees, hears, says, or thinks. Unless the scene character is in the room with Uncle Willard, the scene character will not see or hear Uncle Willard scratch his head or burp. It just doesn't work. Also, unless the scene character sees themselves in some sort of reflection, truly the character is not going to realize they are smiling. Check yourself throughout the day; do you realize really when you are smiling? Most of the time you don't. Your character isn't going to notice that either unless they are leering at someone.
What about blushing? In first person, many writers describe the feeling of blushing to get around this, because once again, do we see ourselves blushing? No. We feel it, and that's what a writer needs to describe when having their first person pov character blush.
Like I said, I love writing in first person pov. But my first manuscript that I wrote was written in third person, not first person. We'll discuss third person next time I do writing basics.
What about you? Which pov do you write in? Which pov did you like to read?
I believe that established writers can get away with this, but that new writers can not.
If you're just starting out, a refresher (or even a first time lesson) about point of view is a good thing to help with your craft.
There are several forms of point of view, but today I'll be concentrating on first person.
I love to write in first person point of view. I really feel like I get into my character's head and become them as the story enfolds. But, interestingly enough, writing experts say that newbie writers should not use first person point of view. It is too confusing, and writers are setting themselves up for failure due to the amount of mistakes that they make.
I say, write what you want - both content and point of view. BUT...make sure you understand pov before embarking on your writing journey. Pov slips happen, and a newbie writer can't allow too many slips, or the reader will know you're a newbie.
A Quick Refresher on First Person Point of View
First person point of view is written from the scene character's (usually the main character) point of view. Everything that is written is what the character sees, hears, says, and thinks. "I" is used primarily.
Example:
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Mom!" I yelled. "Mom! Come here, quick!"
The sky turned almost black, and the clouds swirled like a storm was about to explode. A brisk breeze whipped around, causing my math homework sheet to take off like a bird. I wanted to sit up and catch it, but I was too afraid to move.
"What the heck is happening?" I whispered aloud. "This isn't right."Okay, so with the above example (the first part of my story, Saving Redwind) you can see that the character's point of view is used. "I" and "my math homework" show that the writer is using first person point of view.
Here's the deal with first person pov that you MUST remember: the author can only write what the scene character sees, hears, says, or thinks. Unless the scene character is in the room with Uncle Willard, the scene character will not see or hear Uncle Willard scratch his head or burp. It just doesn't work. Also, unless the scene character sees themselves in some sort of reflection, truly the character is not going to realize they are smiling. Check yourself throughout the day; do you realize really when you are smiling? Most of the time you don't. Your character isn't going to notice that either unless they are leering at someone.
What about blushing? In first person, many writers describe the feeling of blushing to get around this, because once again, do we see ourselves blushing? No. We feel it, and that's what a writer needs to describe when having their first person pov character blush.
Like I said, I love writing in first person pov. But my first manuscript that I wrote was written in third person, not first person. We'll discuss third person next time I do writing basics.
What about you? Which pov do you write in? Which pov did you like to read?
Friday, July 22, 2011
Regurgitated Blog Post: Writing Basics Tip #1
Whenever I say this in one of my company's writing workshops, I inevitably get an eye roll or two. Yes, of course, Kris, we know that a story has to have a beginning, middle, and end. It's not just writing that first sentence and then hoping that all the other sentences create the middle and then the end. A writer must have a story problem. Even though many participants nod when I say, "Does your story have a story problem?", most give me blank or expectant stares.
So, since it's my workshop, I make them suffer through a brief discussion on this topic. Because where else does a writer start, but at the beginning?
I have reviewed many manuscripts where there was no beginning, a middle, or even a ending. The "story" just sort of started and then sort of ended. No story problem, no wraparound. No real beginning, no real ending. These were not good manuscripts, and they were not accepted by my company.
Other manuscripts, as well as most published books, have a beginning - a hook - oopss, there's another word writers should know - which draws the reader into the story almost immediately. In a picture book, the first two pages with their text and illustration must explain what the problem is (the hook). In a chapter book, I've heard that the first paragraph must draw the reader in, but I really think it is the first sentence. I think the very first sentence is one of the hardest to write.
Pick up any book and read the first sentence.
Here are a few I have lying around:
"I remember lying in the snow, a small red spot of warm going cold, surrounded by wolves." Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
"It wasn't much, really, the whole Jessica Feeney thing." Firegirl by Tony Abbott
"You have been chosen for your special skills to do something that urgently needs to be done." Swindle by Gordon Korrman
All of these first sentences--or the hook--makes the reader want to read on.All of them are from chapter books.
Briefly:
The beginning needs to present the problem that the main character needs to fix. Throughout the middle, the character must continue to reach the resolution to the problem, and usually finds more problems on the way. The ending needs to tie it all up. The original problem should be solved and no new problems should be introduced, unless the author is writing a series. Ending in a cliff hanger is especially good for a series as it will make the reader want to immediately buy the next book.
Take a look at the first line of your first chapter. Does is pull the reader in? Does is set-up the problem? If you answer no to either question, I suggest that you revisit this first line. It needs to whack the reader in the head and make them say, "Huh?" or "What?" or "Groovy!"
Story problem problems? I tell my workshop writers to come up with a question that has a yes or no answer, and that should be the story problem.
Example:
From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: I think the story problem/question is, Will Charlie find a golden ticket which will change the lives of him and his family?
From The Lightning Thief: Will Percy finally understand his differences and how they will impact the world around him?
The story problem can be a basic one that is explored through the text, but it must be there. It's like a guide in the beginning to the rest of the story, and it will help the author tie everything up in the end.
What are some of your first lines and/or story problems? Have you ever thought about your story problem specifically?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Writing with the Seasons
Does your writing schedule change along with the change of the seasons? Mine usually do, at least for part of the year. The coolness of fall coupled with the kids going back to school, make me want to hole up and write. But the same can be said about the start of summer (or summer vacation). Our routines change- no more packing lunch and carpools - so I feel like I have more of the day to devote to my craft.
I don't notice a huge difference when spring or winter come around. Perhaps because those are the busiest times of the year for me.
What about you? Does your writing schedule change?
I don't notice a huge difference when spring or winter come around. Perhaps because those are the busiest times of the year for me.
What about you? Does your writing schedule change?
Monday, May 16, 2011
It's Monday...do you know where your story is?
How many of you write every day?
I wish I had that luxury. I say luxury because right now, it's a luxury for me when I can set aside a good block of time to write. I have to say, "Today I'm writing. No working. No answering emails. No phone calls." I can't write for an hour and then go about other business. My brain does not work that way.
I can't write every day either. I have other obligations to attend to daily. Perhaps someday it will just be me and my writing. Oh, and housework. Ugh. But for now, I try to spend 1-2 days during the week writing. Once hockey is over (which is this week), my weekends are freer, so I can write on Saturdays.
When I don't write every day, I have to review what I've already written. This has its pros and cons. The biggest pro is that I'll edit what I've written. Usually by the time I'm done with a project, I'll only have to do one hard edit and one soft edit. (Hard edit is a printout, soft edit is after I've input all of my hard edits, then I do a re-read on screen.)
The biggest con is that I have to get myself back into the story. Most of the time that isn't hard for me to do. Occasionally, I have to work at it.
Those who have read this blog before will notice I use the phrase "word chunks" - that's when the words come out in fits and spurts, chunky. I sometimes experience word chunks in the beginning of a new writing day. If it continues, I stop. The words aren't flowing. I hate word chunks.
So...what about you...do you write every day?
I wish I had that luxury. I say luxury because right now, it's a luxury for me when I can set aside a good block of time to write. I have to say, "Today I'm writing. No working. No answering emails. No phone calls." I can't write for an hour and then go about other business. My brain does not work that way.
I can't write every day either. I have other obligations to attend to daily. Perhaps someday it will just be me and my writing. Oh, and housework. Ugh. But for now, I try to spend 1-2 days during the week writing. Once hockey is over (which is this week), my weekends are freer, so I can write on Saturdays.
When I don't write every day, I have to review what I've already written. This has its pros and cons. The biggest pro is that I'll edit what I've written. Usually by the time I'm done with a project, I'll only have to do one hard edit and one soft edit. (Hard edit is a printout, soft edit is after I've input all of my hard edits, then I do a re-read on screen.)
The biggest con is that I have to get myself back into the story. Most of the time that isn't hard for me to do. Occasionally, I have to work at it.
Those who have read this blog before will notice I use the phrase "word chunks" - that's when the words come out in fits and spurts, chunky. I sometimes experience word chunks in the beginning of a new writing day. If it continues, I stop. The words aren't flowing. I hate word chunks.
So...what about you...do you write every day?
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Do you know where your story starts?
I've recently agreed to a collaborative writing project. The screenwriter had a "treatment" (like an outline for us writer folk) completed and wanted me to write a book based off of the four pages. Okay, I said, shouldn't be too hard.
I started writing where he thought I should. I went along with it. But after writing seven pages of word chunks in a few days (bad, bad, bad!), rather than flowing words, I figured that I really wasn't were the story started. I felt like I was cramming in too much in that first chapter and losing all of the feeling that the main character is experiencing.
I began to write a revised first chapter. I sat down and wrote six pages. Guess I found my beginning.
Do you ever start a project, write a while, and then decide that what you wrote isn't really the beginning?
I started writing where he thought I should. I went along with it. But after writing seven pages of word chunks in a few days (bad, bad, bad!), rather than flowing words, I figured that I really wasn't were the story started. I felt like I was cramming in too much in that first chapter and losing all of the feeling that the main character is experiencing.
I began to write a revised first chapter. I sat down and wrote six pages. Guess I found my beginning.
Do you ever start a project, write a while, and then decide that what you wrote isn't really the beginning?
Friday, April 8, 2011
G is for ... Genre
According to the online edition of Merriam-Webster Dictionary, genre is defined as:
a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content.
I think a difficult thing for writers when they start out is to determine what genre they are writing. It seems like an easy question, but I can tell from my own experience that one needs to put thought into it.
When I decided that all those characters that continued to show up in my head needed to go someplace else, I started writing their stories. I knew I wasn't writing romance because there wasn't any hot romantic scenes. I was confused if I was writing women's fiction or literary fiction geared toward women since my stories were character-driven rather than story driven. In the end, I figured out I was writing women's fiction and queried agents who represented that genre.
But a funny thing happened after securing representation - my agent told me to write something new in a different genre. It wasn't very hard for me to decide on middle grade (it helps have two young sons), although I did try my hand at YA for one manuscript (I quickly learned I didn't know how a YA character spoke or acted). I feel like I've found my voice - although some of those women's fiction characters tend to show up now and then and I have to tell them "later".
Have you ever switched genres or do you write in multiple genres?
a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content.
I think a difficult thing for writers when they start out is to determine what genre they are writing. It seems like an easy question, but I can tell from my own experience that one needs to put thought into it.
When I decided that all those characters that continued to show up in my head needed to go someplace else, I started writing their stories. I knew I wasn't writing romance because there wasn't any hot romantic scenes. I was confused if I was writing women's fiction or literary fiction geared toward women since my stories were character-driven rather than story driven. In the end, I figured out I was writing women's fiction and queried agents who represented that genre.
But a funny thing happened after securing representation - my agent told me to write something new in a different genre. It wasn't very hard for me to decide on middle grade (it helps have two young sons), although I did try my hand at YA for one manuscript (I quickly learned I didn't know how a YA character spoke or acted). I feel like I've found my voice - although some of those women's fiction characters tend to show up now and then and I have to tell them "later".
Have you ever switched genres or do you write in multiple genres?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Setting as a Character?
When I introduce setting in my writing workshops, I'll often talk about how it can be used as another character when writing. Oftentimes, I get confused or WTH? types of looks from the participants. It is at this point that I take a deep breath and spin my story. Here's what I tell them...
Let's think about some stories where the setting played an important role, if not became a character in and of itself. The first that comes to mind is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I'm not talking about Kansas or the hurricane, but of Oz proper. All the elements that make up Oz-the yellow brick road, the forest of talking and screeching trees, the city of Oz itself- make the story that much more interesting. Would we have wanted to read Dorothy's story if Oz hadn't of been the setting? We can all agree that the story would have been completely different if she'd woken up two cities away from her aunt and uncle's home.
How about any of the Harry Potter books? Let's just look at Hogwarts. From the outside, this castle looks just like any other castle. But once Harry is inside, he can see that it isn't ordinary at all. Moving staircases, talking pictures, this place lives and breathes magic. It would make sense that the author would create such a setting so that the characters to grow. If it had taken place in just a regular castle, without it's own magical abilities, the stories would have been significantly different.
I know what you're thinking - Kris, these are both examples of fantasy and the setting usually has to be over the top. But I challenge you to think differently. What about debut author Jean Kwok's Girl in Translation? It's the apartment and sweatshop that drives the main character, Kim Chang, to want a better life for her and her mother. The apartment they are forced to live in-with it's garbage bag covered broken windows, roach infested walls, and lack of heat- and the sweatshop they are forced to work in-filled with heat, steam, dust, and lack of hygiene-both make the reader feel something for the characters. Would the reader have cared so much about Kim, being as brilliant as no other student in her school, if she'd lived in suburbia? I think not.
When setting is viewed as another character - or better yet, an extension of the characters, the story becomes deeper and richer, as if it couldn't have been told another way.
I challenge you to look closely at your setting and make it come alive for your readers. I don't think you'll regret it.
Let's think about some stories where the setting played an important role, if not became a character in and of itself. The first that comes to mind is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I'm not talking about Kansas or the hurricane, but of Oz proper. All the elements that make up Oz-the yellow brick road, the forest of talking and screeching trees, the city of Oz itself- make the story that much more interesting. Would we have wanted to read Dorothy's story if Oz hadn't of been the setting? We can all agree that the story would have been completely different if she'd woken up two cities away from her aunt and uncle's home.
How about any of the Harry Potter books? Let's just look at Hogwarts. From the outside, this castle looks just like any other castle. But once Harry is inside, he can see that it isn't ordinary at all. Moving staircases, talking pictures, this place lives and breathes magic. It would make sense that the author would create such a setting so that the characters to grow. If it had taken place in just a regular castle, without it's own magical abilities, the stories would have been significantly different.
I know what you're thinking - Kris, these are both examples of fantasy and the setting usually has to be over the top. But I challenge you to think differently. What about debut author Jean Kwok's Girl in Translation? It's the apartment and sweatshop that drives the main character, Kim Chang, to want a better life for her and her mother. The apartment they are forced to live in-with it's garbage bag covered broken windows, roach infested walls, and lack of heat- and the sweatshop they are forced to work in-filled with heat, steam, dust, and lack of hygiene-both make the reader feel something for the characters. Would the reader have cared so much about Kim, being as brilliant as no other student in her school, if she'd lived in suburbia? I think not.
When setting is viewed as another character - or better yet, an extension of the characters, the story becomes deeper and richer, as if it couldn't have been told another way.
I challenge you to look closely at your setting and make it come alive for your readers. I don't think you'll regret it.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Moving on...Winter to Spring
When New Year's hits, I often feel like I've got a clean slate. I've got a whole year ahead of me filled with days that I haven't used up and aren't memories.
But when winter turns to spring (which I am optimistically hoping that will happen soon since that old groundhog predicted an early spring), I have a similar feeling, but it has more to do with writing.
I've noticed that if I'm not committed to a story during the months of December - February, I sort of flounder around, pretending to write, but not really accomplishing anything. Once we get to the end of February, beginning of March, my juices start to flow again.
I think it may be the anticipation of those early flowers, pushing their green little heads through the earth (and sometimes snow- I do live in Michigan and snow happens in March and sometimes April!), that get me going. Nature is such an inspiration to me, even though my current writings wouldn't show that at all. There's only so much "nature" in and around a hockey rink. But still, in my early days of writing for me (note, not for corporate America), I would sit in my front picture window, laptop on the ledge, me peering out at the flowers dancing in the wind when my fingers weren't flying over the keyboard.
I suppose I'm thinking about all of this because today is Valentine's day. We're half way through February and in about a month, the first day of spring will arrive. I try to be the optimist and believe that the first day of spring will be filled with white puffy clouds, blue skies, flowers popping up, and birdsong. But Michigan can never deliver those expectations.
Yet, today it reached to 40 degrees - a heatwave for this time of year - and the sky is blue with long, thin clouds. It gives me hope that spring will be here soon.
As for me pretending to write...well, I do have a story that I'm working on and working on and working on. It's sort of stuck at chapter 4, but I am committed to it and I know it will be finished. Not because spring is just around the corner and I'm inspired - but because I am inspired now and don't need spring. But don't tell the Universe that, okay? I really DO need spring.
What inspires you?
But when winter turns to spring (which I am optimistically hoping that will happen soon since that old groundhog predicted an early spring), I have a similar feeling, but it has more to do with writing.
I've noticed that if I'm not committed to a story during the months of December - February, I sort of flounder around, pretending to write, but not really accomplishing anything. Once we get to the end of February, beginning of March, my juices start to flow again.
I think it may be the anticipation of those early flowers, pushing their green little heads through the earth (and sometimes snow- I do live in Michigan and snow happens in March and sometimes April!), that get me going. Nature is such an inspiration to me, even though my current writings wouldn't show that at all. There's only so much "nature" in and around a hockey rink. But still, in my early days of writing for me (note, not for corporate America), I would sit in my front picture window, laptop on the ledge, me peering out at the flowers dancing in the wind when my fingers weren't flying over the keyboard.
I suppose I'm thinking about all of this because today is Valentine's day. We're half way through February and in about a month, the first day of spring will arrive. I try to be the optimist and believe that the first day of spring will be filled with white puffy clouds, blue skies, flowers popping up, and birdsong. But Michigan can never deliver those expectations.
Yet, today it reached to 40 degrees - a heatwave for this time of year - and the sky is blue with long, thin clouds. It gives me hope that spring will be here soon.
As for me pretending to write...well, I do have a story that I'm working on and working on and working on. It's sort of stuck at chapter 4, but I am committed to it and I know it will be finished. Not because spring is just around the corner and I'm inspired - but because I am inspired now and don't need spring. But don't tell the Universe that, okay? I really DO need spring.
What inspires you?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Writer Limbo
I'm not currently working on any project.
There. I said it. I'm being brutally honest, here, give me a break. : )
And, it's not because I have writer's block or anything. Far from it. I'm bursting with ideas for the next book in a new series I started writing.
But as my newly-nominated "Agent of the Year" agent has told me, don't waste time on the next book. Actually, I think her words were not to waste time on writing a new book 1 for this series (I had mentioned doing this in the event that the current book 1 that she is shopping around isn't picked up.) She doesn't like wasting anything, especially time. I'm with her on this one. Why write a new book 1 or even a book 2 in the event that the original book 1 doesn't even sell. Then, I would end up writing a new book 1 because I love these characters and the concept I've come up with in telling this story.
Okay, I'm rambling. Sorry.
Do you ever feel like you're in writing limbo? Wanting to work on something, actually itching to plop down in front of the keyboard and let your fingers fly? This time of year --with the cold winds and bright, snow-covered trees--makes me want to curl up and read. Not write. (Honesty, remember?)
How do you deal with the stop-wait-and wait some more part of this industry? Do you just charge along, working on new projects? Or are you like me -- inching my way through book ideas, but only working on them when given the go-ahead?
There. I said it. I'm being brutally honest, here, give me a break. : )
And, it's not because I have writer's block or anything. Far from it. I'm bursting with ideas for the next book in a new series I started writing.
But as my newly-nominated "Agent of the Year" agent has told me, don't waste time on the next book. Actually, I think her words were not to waste time on writing a new book 1 for this series (I had mentioned doing this in the event that the current book 1 that she is shopping around isn't picked up.) She doesn't like wasting anything, especially time. I'm with her on this one. Why write a new book 1 or even a book 2 in the event that the original book 1 doesn't even sell. Then, I would end up writing a new book 1 because I love these characters and the concept I've come up with in telling this story.
Okay, I'm rambling. Sorry.
Do you ever feel like you're in writing limbo? Wanting to work on something, actually itching to plop down in front of the keyboard and let your fingers fly? This time of year --with the cold winds and bright, snow-covered trees--makes me want to curl up and read. Not write. (Honesty, remember?)
How do you deal with the stop-wait-and wait some more part of this industry? Do you just charge along, working on new projects? Or are you like me -- inching my way through book ideas, but only working on them when given the go-ahead?
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