How to Make the Right Promises to Your Readers

[Segilola]

interesting post . . .

[Alyson]

Very good and informing post!

[Xandrie]

I'm not sure if I agree with this. What about alternating first person? You can't expect one character's tone to be a carbon copy of another's. If that ends up happening, you're probably doing it wrong. Though I will agree that consistency is a good thing.

I'd also argue that some stories take artistic liberties, especially when the POV character is suffering from a traumatic event, or to show passage of time.

I think there are reader expectations, but to me, promises aren't unwittingly made. I feel like promises need to be explicitly stated in order to be held accountable.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

--XK

[Pratibha]

Yes, something we need to really keep in mind while crafting our novel. Interesting read, thank you Ryan.

[T.S.]

A great discussion topic and informative post. Thanks! My take is that it's highly valuable to learn and absorb as much as one can on "best practices" in word-craft ... and then, if you choose to color outside of lines with your word-art, you are approaching it smart, aware, and deliberate, versus accidental. The reference to George RR as an example is good one: some of you might be interested to hear that as a fiction instructor (I studied with him) he emphasized knowing one's stuff in terms of craft. Beyond that, I like the simple concept of keeping promises to readers ... including any promises that "this will be different." ; )