More questions please
I've now used up my bank of Ask Sally questions, so if there's anything I haven't answered yet that you'd like to know about writing (or would have liked to know when you were first starting out so think others would benefit from the advice) please drop me an email at squilford(at)gmail(dot)com or leave a message on this or any of the other Ask Sally postings. I'm particularly interested in getting some craft questions.
I know I could make some up, but I work much better from genuine questions.
6 Comments - Thank you!:
Here's one for you. When I started writing stories and getting friends on writing sites to crit them, I was often told I had a few points of view slips. I thought I understood POV even before I got into writing - first person, third person, all that. But I still managed to slip POV in my third person stories. Some of them were really subtle and I didn't spot them until they were pointed out to me. (I'm better at it now!)
So - can you explain the different points of view, and how to ensure you stay strictly in one POV or when you can get away with changing POV. That'll be a good one!
Excellent! Thanks womagwriter. POV is something I had/have a lot of problems with too, so it will help me to clarify it!
Consider your question added to the list.
This is a musing triggered by Womagwriter's question rather than another question. I was told a couple of years ago, by a writing teacher, that you must NEVER change POV in a short story. However, I've noticed that in many stories in magazines the writer changes POV like there's no tomorrow! Is it partly a stylistic preference of some editors?
Thanks Helen. I will use it as a supplemental question.
The quick answer is that you can get away with changing pov as long as it's clear you know what you're doing. I often change POV in short stories.
There was a 'pay it forward' sort of story in The Weekly News a few weeks ago, that shift through several povs until it came back to the first pov and it was a very effective tool.
Hi,
There a good example of "head hopping" in People's Friend. A serial story called Between Two Worlds by Sue Moorcroft.
At first I was surprised it had got by the editor, as I've been to many a class/workshop where they say you should never swap POV as it is unacceptable.
I'd still like some tips and pointers on how to keep within POV though...
Maria
Great! I'll probably write it up tomorrow as it's going to take some time. I want it to be a good, helpful article.
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