《How to Write Stories People Will Love》Question 23: Changing viewpoints
Advertisement
asks: How do you change viewpoints in a multi-viewpoint novel?
There are a few ways to do this. The most important thing is to make sure it's absolutely clear to the reader whose viewpoint is currently active.
- An easy way to switch viewpoints when there are two main characters is to switch characters every time a new chapter starts. In other words, when it's time to switch viewpoints, you start a new chapter. It's okay to have short chapters. Rainbow Rowell does this in Eleanor & Park, and I enjoyed it a lot. I was never confused who was speaking, even though there were no chapter titles, because the chapters followed a pattern. Each new chapter meant a switch in point of view.
- If you don't like the idea of a switching point of view every time a new chapter starts, you can add a chapter title stating the name of the character who's narrating. This is also helpful when you have more than two points of view to juggle.
- Another popular method of switching viewpoints is an extra gap between paragraphs. Such gaps are often used to signify a new scene. They can also be used to switch to another character, so long as the wording makes it apparent who it is. Be sure to use the character's name in the first sentence.
It's best not to switch viewpoints too many times per scene, or the reader may get dizzy reading it. In my opinion, each main character should express their viewpoint once per scene. After switching away from their point of view, don't switch back again until the next scene.
Advertisement
Alive?
In the ruins of a once glorious city, a mage awakens. As the sole survivor(?) of the cataclysm that destroyed his entire species, he’s forced to adapt. While learning the intricacies of his new body, he must first carve out a place for himself in a familiar yet foreign world before he can set out to reclaim his heritage. I cannot stress this enough: the character is not human, do not expect him to react like one. I know the hand on the cover only has five finger, but I doubt I am going to find a royalty free radiography with two perfectly functional thumbs placed in a sensible way anytime soon. The rewrite is finished. Beta readers are welcomed and I am still wondering whether I should put the sci-fi tag or not.
8 281The Legend of The Demon Prince
Kong Yue was born in a royal demon dynasty , had an abnormally high innate talent regarding elemental affinity. But was unable to cultivate all because he had a dantian which was already full to the brim with something. He was not able to absorb energy neither use the thing filling his dantian. Will he give up or continue tostruggle to become the strongest immortal ever?
8 59Ambassadors to another world
In 2144 an experiment on wormholes that was intented to find a solution for interstellar travel opened up the door to new possibilities, a world that we thought only existed in books and in our imaginations. A world of magic and dragons.
8 231The Overlord
Drake was the number one expert in the whole world. Though personality-wise he was full of... well, let's say issues, his skills and knowledge in the field of killing and healing both was unparalleled and his body count was second only to tobacco! He terrified the entire underworld! But he had grown complacent and would not imagine many of the top ranked people of underworld would try to kill him. That was what happened. But he had succeeded in killing them and he was ascending to a new power, when he suddenly died in a very mysterious and bizarre way...He is now Aeron Victor who had """"almost"""" died in an accident... with a shocking power he never knew he had! So he decided to try better this time. He decided he would live a life without regrets... But he knows he has to get strong first, because only those who are strong can lead a life without any regret or pain. So he rises above all as the overlord!__________________________________________________________________Warning: Mature content. Mainly gore, though there will be a bit swearing. As for sexual content there might be some too.This is my first story, so please bear with me. English is not my mother language, so if you see anything just point it out please. I welcome all criticism, as it shows that you cared enough about my story to write it!(Which kinda makes me teary eyed...*sniff*)
8 143I Owe You Some Champagne (Usnavi x Reader)
You had always had a crush on Usnavi, ever since you first met him in his bodega. One day, you finally build up the courage to ask him out, after your best friend, Benny, pushes you to. But things don't go exactly how you planned... Will you be together in the end?
8 190My Vampire (Book Three)
She got me into this mess. She had to play around and get us both captured. That stupid fucking vampire. My pack will notice that I'm gone. But these men are good at covering my scent. But I know they'll find me.I hear her gasp again and thrash around making her chains jingle around the bars we're both kept in. God knows what they're injecting her with but I'm glad they're not doing the same to me."Give her the next dosage. She can take it" the older one says and I look away as I see them plunge the needle again into her arm. She screams and an unfamiliar sound comes to my ears. My wolf awakens at the sound as well and I stand to look at her.She's shaking like crazy and gasping as if she could even breath in the first place. It can't be? They shouldn't be able to reverse....my thoughts stop when she sits up and screams as she looks into my eyes. The dark irises I came to know over the past two weeks go from black to blue. Her heart starts beating. And my wolf calls for his mate.
8 99