《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
- In Serial158 Chapters
Nowhere Island University
Nathan Jacobs was just another kid from suburban US. No super powers, no special skills, and, more importantly, no direction. With his senior year of high school coming to an end, Nate is approached by representatives of the international law agency, UNIX. They want him, as well as a team of two other teenagers to infiltrate a college in the mid Pacific called Nowhere Island University. However, Nowhere Island University is not a normal school. Nate, due to enrolling in the Academy of Military Science as part of his mission, is thrust into the brutal Hell Semester, a special course for the people who want to be mercenaries. There, he meets mob hitmen, former child soldiers, mysterious martial artists, cat girls working for secret societies, and many more strange people. Meanwhile, events outside NIU are transpiring, threatening to destroy the world, or maybe just kill a huge amount of people. Can Nathan stop it? Or will he die in Hell Semester? Updates every Wednesday.
8 140 - In Serial35 Chapters
First
Meet John Ryder, the human adventure. Not the strongest but in no means is he weak, John is one of the original players of First, a one of a kind VRMMORPG in a world where no others exist. Playing in the shadows, part of a guild that never speaks or is spoken about, John watches the world of First become what it will be. The question is, will he join it or continue his role as a simple observer.Meet William Thacker, John Ryder's other self. Virtual Reality student of a prestigious institution, he studies the world of First from outside a computer. As is the case of many universities, high levels of hormones and a number of females students could spell trouble. Coupled with the fact he is John Ryder and what John Ryder is capable of, he may find himself in hot water soon enough.
8 95 - In Serial20 Chapters
The Skies of Aurora (To be rewritten in the future)
The Skies of Aurora A world full of thousands of islands spread throughout an endless sky with no ground to be seen beneath them. Here we find Shawn Blake, who lives a quiet life near a dungeon on the Isle of Fallen Snow. Very few people ever visit the Isle of Fallen Snow because there is only one dungeon that has a connection to the island in all of the endless Skies of Aurora. Thanks to that, Shawn has been able to live peacefully on the island with nothing but his training to worry about, despite being a hybrid of more than one of the five ruling races. However, unfortunately for Shawn, his peaceful life is about to come to an end as some visitors make their way to the Isle of Fallen Snow for reasons unknown. The world of Aurora is a world of endless skies full of floating islands separated by open air with the void far below them, and the only way to get from one island to another is through portals that are located at the end of each dungeon. These portals are connected to the central portal on another island. This book is a litrpg, fantasy, and sky world all in one. I hope you enjoy my book, and I welcome any and all suggestions.
8 266 - In Serial42 Chapters
Dark Of The Sun
Jordan, the last living Sorceress of Bal’Talanor blood, has come of age at last. She is the rightful Heir, but she has grown up on Earth, unmindful of her identity. She has never heard of the world of Andoherra, nor of World Queens, and, to her, magic is nothing but a parlour trick. When she accidentally finds her way back to her homeland, she discovers her true nature, her awakening power – and the flamboyant Fire Queen who stands between her and her destiny. Calyx is a deadly Sorceress bound by duty to protect Jordan. She will stop at nothing to restore the heir to the throne and slay all those who stand in the way. This should be an easy task – well within the capabilities of her immense magic – but there are three things she didn’t bargain for: losing Jordan, a vengeful dragon, and the small problem of feelings for her mortal enemy, Nerys. Most frustrating of all, she doesn’t have long to debate which issue is the more pressing concern. The starving world of Andoherra is sliding toward total self-destruction, and all the magic in existence doesn't appear to be able to make a damned thread of difference.
8 159 - In Serial311 Chapters
In Naruto: The Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima
The universe gave me another chance after life screwed me over. My second life brought me to a world where people breath fire, walk on water and some people with special eyes that give them bullsh#t powers. Well, I got the gamer ability. And I’m gonna use it to stand at the peak. But it's gonna be a long journey before I reach that summit. SI - MC. Updates are on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you enjoy my story and are interested in reading ahead, then checkout my patreon site. I’ve uploaded +26 Chapters there. Link below. patreon.com/MonkWithAPen
8 265 - In Serial17 Chapters
Wild Blood: Corridors of Stone
In a land filled with quests, monsters, and the undead, comes a girl and her corgi on an adventure of magic and self discovery.
8 202

