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Sherzahd
12 hours ago
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0 miles · Cape Town
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The Seventh Deadly Sin of Writing: Head Hopping
Firstly, allow me to apologise for my tardiness in wrapping this up.
Point of view refers to the character or person narrating the story (in other words, whose head we are in).
As writers, we are offered the chance of allowing our readers to wander through the mind of a character. This is something that sets reading apart from watching a movie. We are throwing our readers into one character’s head, which allows them to connect with that character, grow a bond with, and even identify with his or her problems or conflicts. In order to keep that connection strong, we need to keep the point of view fixed. While switching point of view is not wrong, it does weaken the impact of the story.
Have you ever read a story written in the first person, then without warning the author reveals the thoughts of a different character? And you’re thinking, “Whoa! Did I misunderstand?”
And you scroll back up to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Well, good news is, you probably didn’t. Even better news is, you are an astute reader, so you can give yourself a congratulatory slap on the back.
Point of view breaches aren’t limited to first person tales; it is amplified when writing in third person, especially since most fiction is written in third person. Always remember that when you’re writing from one person’s point of view, he/she can only assume what another character is thinking or feeling by guessing from that character’s dialogue, actions, expression, etc. The only person whose thoughts and feelings he/she can plausibly reveal, is his/her own.
In a nutshell… always be aware of whose viewpoint you’re in and why. If you need to change viewpoints, never do it without warning.
Firstly, allow me to apologise for my tardiness in wrapping this up.
Point of view refers to the character or person narrating the story (in other words, whose head we are in).
As writers, we are offered the chance of allowing our readers to wander through the mind of a character. This is something that sets reading apart from watching a movie. We are throwing our readers into one character’s head, which allows them to connect with that character, grow a bond with, and even identify with his or her problems or conflicts. In order to keep that connection strong, we need to keep the point of view fixed. While switching point of view is not wrong, it does weaken the impact of the story.
Have you ever read a story written in the first person, then without warning the author reveals the thoughts of a different character? And you’re thinking, “Whoa! Did I misunderstand?”
And you scroll back up to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Well, good news is, you probably didn’t. Even better news is, you are an astute reader, so you can give yourself a congratulatory slap on the back. Point of view breaches aren’t limited to first person tales; it is amplified when writing in third person, especially since most fiction is written in third person. Always remember that when you’re writing from one person’s point of view, he/she can only assume what another character is thinking or feeling by guessing from that character’s dialogue, actions, expression, etc. The only person whose thoughts and feelings he/she can plausibly reveal, is his/her own.
In a nutshell… always be aware of whose viewpoint you’re in and why. If you need to change viewpoints, never do it without warning.
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Quote by DirtyMartini
Oh btw...just thought I'd mention...I was in the dentist office a couple of days ago, and they had a copy of Green Eggs And Ham...so, of course, I read it...
So, if anyone asks me the last book I read...
Your dentist has excellent taste. So Alan, what is the last book you read?
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Quote by DirtyMartiniQuote by Sherzahd
Sleepy
Lol...I'm actually fairly awake today...but, I know the feeling...the last few days here had been rainy and nasty...and I'm very sensitive to weather...
I have a terrible time waking up if the weather is nasty...
It's been storming here for days, flippin' cold as well, but I love this weather, it's rather comforting.
PS: Yes, I do know that this isn't one word, but he started it.....
that just feels weird.... maybe I'm coming down with something.... Administration
Quote by DirtyMartiniQuote by ladysharon
I won't dumb down anything I took the time and energy to write for someone to get mad because he/she doesn't know what a word or phrase means.
I agree with you wholeheartedly that you shouldn't "dumb down" anything...I do however, think that you should not do the opposite...try to "smarten up" a story by tossing in big words that are not commonly used, especially in dialogue...
I agree. Too many times writers try to "smarten up" (never heard that phrase before) their work and it just loses the reader. If you aren't writing something for academics to read, then who are you really impressing by using words that casual readers won't understand? I don't mean shy away from using your intelligence, neither do I mean "dumb it down", I'm just saying that reading fiction should be fun and entertaining, or you lose your reader. Anything that makes them stop reading (to google a word or grab a dictionary), makes them lose the pace that you as a writer tried so hard to create.
Just my opinion.
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Quote by DirtyMartini
Here is something that I know will thrill more than a few people on this fine site...
Lost Dr. Seuss stories to be published in September
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/08/lost-dr-seuss-stories-to-be-published-in-september.html
So, once again you'll be able to get your Seuss fix...
Now that's the best news I've had in a while.
(one of the books in the Maximum Ride series) by James Patterson. Administration
Been there, done that, wrote a poem about it.....
We all go through phases of drought at some stage or another, for me it's been nearly four years since I've written anything worth reading. I have been working on six different stories for the last five months, I don't see a conclusion in sight any time soon. And I have about six other ideas for new stories.
I never beat myself up about it though, I just channel all that frustration into writing poetry.
My advice would be.... don't force it, good writing is never forced. Take a break from writing seriously and just dabble around for fun, inspiration often lies in the least obvious places.
We all go through phases of drought at some stage or another, for me it's been nearly four years since I've written anything worth reading. I have been working on six different stories for the last five months, I don't see a conclusion in sight any time soon. And I have about six other ideas for new stories.
I never beat myself up about it though, I just channel all that frustration into writing poetry.
My advice would be.... don't force it, good writing is never forced. Take a break from writing seriously and just dabble around for fun, inspiration often lies in the least obvious places.
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I used to read a lot. I learned how to read at 5, by the time I was 10 I was reading novels, not kids books, classics mostly. I've always loved reading, so yes, I do read quite a lot. I don't read as a writing resource though, mostly just for the love of the written word. I read about things I would probably never write about, but in some ways it does inspire me and it influences my writing style in subtle ways.
I have to admit though, that I haven't done much reading over the last year, most of what I've read are online stories and e-zine stories.
I have to admit though, that I haven't done much reading over the last year, most of what I've read are online stories and e-zine stories.
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Yes, ask her. I will see what I can find in my old teaching logs. Such a shame I lost all of the stories I wrote as teaching aids when my old pc crashed. If I can't find any, I might write some new ones for her. It's been a while since I've written for kids though.
And yes, that is very flattering indeed. I am sure that your poems inspire quite a few people, I know that they've inspired me.
And yes, that is very flattering indeed. I am sure that your poems inspire quite a few people, I know that they've inspired me.
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Quote by DirtyMartini
Here is something that may be of interest to some here...I got an e-mail from the girl who translated my poem "What A Difference A Year Can Make" into Chinese...she wrote...
"By the way, can you tell me where I can find some good stories in English or something like fables or moral lessons that can teach youngsters how to be a good citizen or things like that.
I would like to translate some of them to let more Chinese people share.
Thank you.
Zhang"
Haven't given it a whole lot of thought yet, just got the e-mail tonight...was thinking maybe something by Steffanie or something along those lines...but, I'm open to suggestions here...
If you can think of something, and want it considered...let me know in a PM...
This is your big chance to teach the children of China how to be good citizens...
I'm not sure what age group she is targeting, but in my experience the best teaching stories for children of all ages are fables. There are some very good Chinese fables as well, her kids might relate to those. African and Arabian ones are rather good too. I mostly used Grimm's fairytales (that was my teaching bible), they have just the right balance to teach kids in a fun way. I will try to find a few that are I've always used in my teaching.
YAY!!! No more chatting to myself.... Administration
I think that there is a time and place for proper names, like any other thing in writing, if it is overused, then it kills the pace of your story.
The food thing makes sense as well, but one thing I do when writing about food is focus on the aroma, not sure where that fits in. Of course if you are writing erotica, then smell, taste and texture is a good way of arousing your reader's senses.
I do agree about the insignificant details (more commonly known as fluff) killing the pace of your story. If the details are revelant to getting to know your character, then just keep ot simple and fun. I do find that at times when there is fluff writing and it is entertaining fluff, the reader doesn't really mind. Or is that just me?
Hmm.... forgotten what the other points were.
And Alan, if I had the pipe, it would not be passed. Some things were just not meant to be shared. Expecting me to pass the pipe would be like me asking for the keys to your martini cabinet.
Point proven with that dialogue though, that's what I meant by entertaining fluff.
The food thing makes sense as well, but one thing I do when writing about food is focus on the aroma, not sure where that fits in. Of course if you are writing erotica, then smell, taste and texture is a good way of arousing your reader's senses.
I do agree about the insignificant details (more commonly known as fluff) killing the pace of your story. If the details are revelant to getting to know your character, then just keep ot simple and fun. I do find that at times when there is fluff writing and it is entertaining fluff, the reader doesn't really mind. Or is that just me?
Hmm....
forgotten what the other points were. And Alan, if I had the pipe, it would not be passed. Some things were just not meant to be shared. Expecting me to pass the pipe would be like me asking for the keys to your martini cabinet.
Point proven with that dialogue though, that's what I meant by entertaining fluff.