Being addressed by the author/narrator?

[Virginia]

How do you feel about being addressed by the author or the narrator? I know it's supposed to be 'bad writing' but I don't know why.

I guess it's because I read a lot of non-fiction, but I really don't mind being talked to by the writer if it's interesting. How is it different from a first person narrator?

[Bryn]

I enjoy it, but then I read so much pre-twentieth century fiction where this was usual -- to witty or ironic effect -- that it doesn't seem odd to me. I've wondered exactly how out of fashion it is. Don't read enough current fic to be aware. I hope it's thought old-fashioned, at worst, rather than bad writing. Since a lot of dead famous people did it.

[Yzabel]

It depends how it's done. If it's a kind of convention running in the book, with the narrator doing it regularly, no problem. One the other hand, if it happens once, out of the blue, it's likely to feel really weird.

[Lily]

I've seen the same question in many writers' group. It's another misconception. Though some might deem is old-fashioned, there are many writers who still do it today without problem.

Someone, at some point in time, decided the only way to get published and sell books is by writing 100% in third person limited and completely distance the author from the readers. Of course, that's not true. What is true is that's the way to sell highly commericalized fiction. Well, in theory. No guarantees.

Putting my reader's hat on, I only get annoyed when the authr is constantly interrupting with what they think I should feel about the story. Geez. Let me read the story and decide for myself.

One great example of where this kind of talking to the reader works is Douglas Adams. But, he wrote a lot of humour, so he just added jokes to story events, and that makes it balanced.

No matter what, what the story wants should always come first.

[Bryn]

Lily wrote: "...It's another misconception. Though some might deem is old-fashioned, there are many writers who still do it today without problem..."

Good to hear. I do it. :)

[Bryn]

And I'm interested in examples of the technique, written now. I spotted a bit of 'dear reader' style in The Ming Storytellers which I need to add to historical recs... That novel had such an interest in storytelling, in narrative construction, that she's used it very self-consciously.

[Lily]

Neil Gaiman
George RR Martin

Actually, many contemporary fantasy authors now that I think about it, so take your pick.

[G.G.]

Many known authors do it. I'll add Jim Butcher (Dresden's Files) to the list.

Bad writing? I don't know where you get that. Some people mix it up with breaking the POV, which IS bad writing, but it's actually a style and it's called 'breaking the fourth wall'.

Of course, it doesn't bother me because I do it too. Although my character has a reason to do it and we only learn why at the end of the book, but I'm digressing here...

[Renee E]

It's only bad writing if it's badly written.

[Virginia]

It's good to know I'm not alone. :-)

(Also, if you like Douglas Adams you might like The Toaster Project)

[Amber]

James D. Doss did it sometimes, but he was the absolute master of the omniscient third person, and the blend of humor, paranormal, Western and mystery. Unique, off-beat, and quite successful.

[Belle]

I am not a fan. I don't like a character in a movie turning to the camera and addressing the viewers either. But that is just me.

[Lily]

Thanks, Belle, eveyone should feel free to state their opinion. Though I don't mind it depending on how it's done, I have heard similiar complaints from friends.

And, like I said, when it's forced, as in, STOP! I am now addressing YOU. That does annoy me.

It's all about flow.

[Justin]

I enjoy it as long as its done in an appropriate manner. I myself have written as a narrator and again just like how I like reading them, I write them carefully so they don't come off tacky.

[E.G.]

Dean Koontz does it all the time. Not a 'classic' but successful and traditionally published.

[Belle]

I think I like feeling like a voyeur. I am watching these people and they don't know it. When the author/actor addresses me it makes me uncomfortable!

[G.G.]

The way I see it, it depends on how it's done. I think it can be jarring to have the narrator stop what he or she is doing to talk to us, the reader, but if it's done in a subtle way, most people don't even notice it.

On the other hand, first person POV isn't that far from talking to the readers to begin with. That's probably why some people just can't read erotica in first person. It makes them uncomfortable.

[Virginia]

Belle wrote: "I think I like feeling like a voyeur. I am watching these people and they don't know it. When the author/actor addresses me it makes me uncomfortable!"

That makes a lot of sense to me. If we can stick with the voyeurism simile, it's like someone coming up behind you while you look in a window and saying, "You know she's faking it, of course."

[Justin]

If an author can write it in a classy and suave type of way, kudos to them.

[Regina]

I've done it twice, both in "the story thus far" sections. My books, before they are books, are part of a web series. So every 100,000 words or so, I run a special posting that shows up as prologues.

Only "I" don't "write" them. My characters take turns talking directly to the reader, as if they are sitting across the table from them and having a coffee or something.

The readers seem to love them. So while it's breaking the wall, it's not me doing it. Or, I suppose I should say, I'm pretending it's not me doing it.