On Point of View

I have decided to start offering some writing tips in my blog. I'll try to do this on a weekly basis and will post this on my website as well. Also, if you have read any of the Jessie Mac books and would like to send me a picture of you (or maybe just your hockey equipment!) with one of the books, I will use these to promote the series on FB, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Sound like fun?

Okay, back to point of view. For the Jessie Mac series, I used one point of view exclusively - Jessie's. First person. This allowed me the freedom to explore Jessie's thoughts and really get "inside her head."

In the novel I am currently working on, I use a number of different viewpoints: Gabrielle, Damon, other important secondary characters, and occasionally a minor character. From feedback I have gotten from my writing groups, I know I tread on dangerous territory in doing this. It isn't easy to get to know my main characters if I stay "out of their heads" for too long. It also is more difficulty for readers to stay connected and care about my major players if I don't keep them front and centre. Consequently, I have gone back and inserted additional chapters from Gabrielle's and Damon's viewpoints.

I believe -- and you can disagree with me if you like -- a chapter or chapter section (set off by * * * or quadruple spacing or whatever) should be devoted entirely to one character's viewpoint. I have seen other more skilled writers (like Sharon Butala)incorporate several viewpoints in a single chapter, but I have not reached that point of proficiency in my own writing.

That's it for this week. Next week I will address physical description. See you then!