If you shift point of view within the same chapter or story, you risk being criticized for “head hopping.” But often you need more than one point of view for your novel. In fact, in some genres, such as fantasy, most readers expect it. Plus, showing a story through more than one character’s eyes allows … Continue reading Shifting Point Of View Without Head Hopping
One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a writer is who will tell your story. In other words, what point of view will you use? Whether you’re writing an entire novel, a short story, or a single scene, these two guidelines can help: Use the point of view that best conveys what your … Continue reading What’s The Best Point Of View For Your Story?
The point-of-view articles posted here so far covered three third person point-of-view options–omniscient; third person limited shifting (multiple characters); and third person limited (single character)–and the second and first person points of view. If none of the options seems as if it will work for your entire story, though, you can combine different points of … Continue reading Combining Different Points Of View (Point Of View Post No. 5)
Third person omniscient is the broadest and most flexible point of view. For most writers, it’s also the most challenging to write. The Omniscient Narrator Knows And Sees All With omniscient point of view, the narrator can see into everyone’s mind. Not only that, the narrator can go beyond the experiences and knowledge of the … Continue reading The Omniscient Narrator: When You Know It All (Point of View Post No. 4)
The third person point of view is the most complex because it allows for three variations that affect on a scene-by-scene level how you’ll tell your story. Today I’ll talk about the first two: third person limited (single character) and third person shifting (multiple character). The last type is third person omniscient, which will be … Continue reading Limited And Shifting Third Person (Point Of View Post No. 3)
Second person point of view is often used in self-help books (and blog posts) but rarely used in fiction. Because it’s so rarely used, though, it can have a striking effect. But first, let’s talk about what it is and it’s not. Quick Look At Second Person Point Of View Second person uses “you” as … Continue reading Pros And Cons Of Second Person Point Of View (Point Of View Post No. 2)
Writing in first person can be both fun and extremely challenging. The reader sees directly through the eyes of a single character, usually the protagonist. But there are drawbacks too. Point Of View Options You probably remember the differences between third, second, and first person from your high school literature class. Third person POV uses … Continue reading Pros And Cons Of Writing In First Person (Point Of View Post No. 1)
This past Thursday, during time I’d scheduled to work on my current novel The Worried Man, I found myself glued to the TV instead. I watched former FBI Director Comey testify about conversations with the President. When the testimony was done, I flipped between commentators on different channels, then listened to the President’s personal lawyer … Continue reading Learning About Point Of View From Donald Trump And James Comey
A question I often get is how to advertise a newly-released book that has few or no reviews. This issue causes a lot of stress for self published authors, including me, because it’s the old chicken and egg problem. It’s hard to sell books if you don’t have reviews. But it’s also hard to get … Continue reading Chickens, Eggs, and Sales (Advertising Your Book Before You Get Reviews)
This week I’m recommending the tips and news portion of the year end Sell More Books Show. It’s an overview of what’s been happening in publishing and self publishing over the last year. If you’re new to marketing your own work or thinking of self publishing at some point, it also serves as a great … Continue reading Self-Publishing Overview
