《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 Serial10 Chapters
2084
A young couple receive disturbing information at the Unity Department. He turns to his Uncle who helps explain things about his life. They escape a controlling, exploitive belief system.
8 245 - In Serial31 Chapters
Flowers on a Broken Path
The paths to the heavens have been broken and only weeds grow in the garden of life. A time of change has swept the lands of Eltraya as a portal into the newly discovered continent of Samar had brought their two peoples into contact 10 years ago. Different lifestyles and magics are showing men and women in both continents a new way of living. While the nations on both continents scramble to understand the natives on the other side of this recently created "Gate to Prosperity", their greatest minds are realizing that this portal that exists may not be the only one. In the Kingdom of Eich a group of children are slowly coming into their power. If events had been different they may have lived their lives in obscurity, but the smallest of events led to their rise to fame. Call them as you wish, Heroes, Devils or Gods, it's only a matter of perspective. To them, it's the story of their life. But above all it's the story of the boy who was named after a flower.
8 132 - In Serial35 Chapters
Growing Wings
Standing between demons dominating the entire continent lays a nation filled with fighters who pride themselves on keeping the evil at bay. Demon hunting is a lucrative and revered profession. Xellie wishes to become a hunter feared by demons, helping clean up the world. Motivated partly by wanting to save lives, partly by money, but mostly wanting to prove herself to her brother, Niko - a famous demon hunter partnered with an equally famous exorcist.It's a simple mantra to live by. Demons are bad. People who summon demons are also bad. It can't be complicated, can it?
8 236 - In Serial29 Chapters
Paul Lahote x Reader
A girl, y/n faces the difficulties that come with moving to a new town. Well at least she has her cousin Jacob and his friends to hang with!Paul, one of Jacobs friends seems especially keen of the new face in town and will go to any length to protect her. But he has a secret he's not ready to share yet as he try's to protect y/n from the mysteries and dangers of his life and the town they live in.(I'm terrible at descriptions but probably better at writing(hopefully) any ways hope you give it a chance and like it!)
8 435 - In Serial13 Chapters
Peridot x Human!Reader
When you continue your day as usual, you receive an unexpected guest that arrives in your home. ( This may become a Peridot X Human!Reader romance)I tried to keep the 'human', or you, with simple pronouns, so that way everyone can enjoy it, whether you be male or female. or whatever you choose to be respectfully called. ^u^*Characters and Steven Universe, the show, both belong to the amazing, beloved Rebecca Sugar. **ART ON COVER IS MINE AND BELONGS TO ME. DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION*
8 202 - In Serial31 Chapters
Accidentally Adopted by iBallisticSquid
I could slowly feel the cold going deeper and deeper into my body. In a few minutes there would be no warmth left. But then I saw two people, one of them I was sure was Flo and the other I strangely recognised even though I was sure I had never actually met him. I saw him bend down and pick me up. I looked up at his face. And it dawned on me who it was and why I recognised him. "Squid".Izzy and Flo are two runaway care kids looking for a new home. When iBallisticSquid finds them one night, their lives could be changed for ever. But with fires, enemies and a bad past standing in the way of getting adopted, will they ever get what they want?SEQUEL COMPLETED!!!
8 179

