Writing questions...
Sep. 1st, 2005 12:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
readingredheadOkay, so I have a random set of questions for anyone reading, and I'd be amazingly happy if anyone would answer in a comment. To give a bit of background, I decided this summer to rewrite a large portion of my ongoing novel. (As in, the first 30,000 words of it.) I know that this rewrite will also probably force me to eventually rewrite the 20,000 words that (for now) remain intact from the original draft.
But I'm looking on the bright side, and using this as a chance to evaluate two strategies I used when writing the previous draft. I'm not completely sure what I think about the use of these techniques as a writer...but I'm looking for the response of readers. So here goes.
Thoughts
Okay, in a lot of books I've read, the readers can see the main character's direct thoughts, which are quoted in italics. For instance:
Oh, man, are we in trouble now, Holly thought as she looked at the monstrous fire-breathing dragon that towered over her.
However, I've also seen it done without the italics. You don't get the direct thoughts, but you can still garner their substance, like this:
As Holly looked at the gigantic dragon towering over her, her first thought was that she and Jasen were in big trouble.
My question to anyone willing to answer is this: when you're reading a book, which style do you prefer? Do you like it better when characters' direct thoughts are heard, or when instead thoughts are "summarized" (best word I can think of)? Anyone's opinion on this would be appreciated.
Point of View
For me this has become a stickier problem, possibly due to the structure of my novel. (I knew I should've listened to dad when he told me it was impossible to write a story with two distinct protagonists...) Nonetheless, that's what I have: a story with two (arguably) distinct protagonists. During the beginning of the novel they're not really separated, so the readers get the same story no matter which of them narrates.
However, later on in the story events start to happen rapid-fire and I'm practically required to change viewpoints more quickly, since the main characters are separated and each has to report on his or her own experiences in order for the plot to advance.
This being the case, my question is: should I switch viewpoints more frequently throughout the whole novel, so that it doesn't come as a "surprise" when I have to make quick switches toward the end? Or should I leave it as it is, without worrying what percentage of the novel is narrated by which character? Again, I'm asking for opinion, I know.
To anyone who takes the time to answer, many thanks are in order! I'm just trying to get the opinions of as many people possible, and sort of hoping that they agree with the conclusions I've nearly reached myself. But if you say different stuff than I've been thinking, then I'll have to think about reconsidering. Either way I find this very useful. Thanks all!
But I'm looking on the bright side, and using this as a chance to evaluate two strategies I used when writing the previous draft. I'm not completely sure what I think about the use of these techniques as a writer...but I'm looking for the response of readers. So here goes.
Thoughts
Okay, in a lot of books I've read, the readers can see the main character's direct thoughts, which are quoted in italics. For instance:
Oh, man, are we in trouble now, Holly thought as she looked at the monstrous fire-breathing dragon that towered over her.
However, I've also seen it done without the italics. You don't get the direct thoughts, but you can still garner their substance, like this:
As Holly looked at the gigantic dragon towering over her, her first thought was that she and Jasen were in big trouble.
My question to anyone willing to answer is this: when you're reading a book, which style do you prefer? Do you like it better when characters' direct thoughts are heard, or when instead thoughts are "summarized" (best word I can think of)? Anyone's opinion on this would be appreciated.
Point of View
For me this has become a stickier problem, possibly due to the structure of my novel. (I knew I should've listened to dad when he told me it was impossible to write a story with two distinct protagonists...) Nonetheless, that's what I have: a story with two (arguably) distinct protagonists. During the beginning of the novel they're not really separated, so the readers get the same story no matter which of them narrates.
However, later on in the story events start to happen rapid-fire and I'm practically required to change viewpoints more quickly, since the main characters are separated and each has to report on his or her own experiences in order for the plot to advance.
This being the case, my question is: should I switch viewpoints more frequently throughout the whole novel, so that it doesn't come as a "surprise" when I have to make quick switches toward the end? Or should I leave it as it is, without worrying what percentage of the novel is narrated by which character? Again, I'm asking for opinion, I know.
To anyone who takes the time to answer, many thanks are in order! I'm just trying to get the opinions of as many people possible, and sort of hoping that they agree with the conclusions I've nearly reached myself. But if you say different stuff than I've been thinking, then I'll have to think about reconsidering. Either way I find this very useful. Thanks all!
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(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-01 08:04 pm (UTC)as for point of view, i think you can leave it as it is, the reader will adjust to the more rapid point of view shifts as they come, maybe they will help elevate the tone of fast action because things are going back and forth so quickly.
hope that helped, cant say my opinion in such things can be too highly regarded but all the same i thougth id give you my thoughts.
love kate
(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-02 02:14 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-02 04:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-01 09:58 pm (UTC)And for your double-protangonist situation... First off, that's an awesome thing, I think. I really don't have a definite preference for that, but I do think that near the end of the book, it will push the reader more to the edge of their seat, so to speak, if the changes became more rapid. I don't think the effect would be the same if the changes were quick in the beginning; you know what I'm saying?
Hope I helped. =)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-02 02:13 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-02 02:33 am (UTC)Except me.
I'm a definite reader.
*grin*
(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-01 11:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-02 02:11 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-02 01:01 am (UTC)Second question: I've read books with different viewpoints that switch a lot. It doesn't really bother me, it just makes the events seem as rapid as they happen. Makes the story seem even more rapid-fire.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-02 02:11 am (UTC)And I think the same goes for the POV switch...I'm realizing it's kinda silly to try and portion it out so that both characters tell an equal amount of the story.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-04 09:47 pm (UTC)with the point of view question, i dont think it should matter how much of the book is so-and-so's perspective and so on, but i agree with the other people here who say that the speed of the novel, the energy, the enthusiasm, is built better when the author switches perspectives faster during the climax. *shrug* i'm sure whichever way you do it will turn out fine since you're such a fantastic writer!
(no subject)
Date: 2005-09-04 11:26 pm (UTC)