tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post9190960941974495812..comments2024-03-18T01:49:03.153-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Deep Point of View or How to Avoid Head-HoppingDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-9611198559885626692011-02-14T12:42:21.461-07:002011-02-14T12:42:21.461-07:00Jodie, more good info from you, the article on De...Jodie, more good info from you, the article on Deep POV. It's so easy to put the character on stage and keep the microphone for myself. <br />But the books I have never forgotten allowed me to identify with the protagonist. Your article came at a good time since I am trying to strengthen my main characters.<br /> Thanks, RuthRuthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-74328068792614080282011-02-14T07:38:02.676-07:002011-02-14T07:38:02.676-07:00This is really good advice Jodie and I'll keep...This is really good advice Jodie and I'll keep your words in mind as I continue my manuscript revisions. I especially like what you wrote here; "...show most of the action from inside the head and heart – the thoughts, senses, and emotions – of the person...chosen as the viewpoint character.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07275601130306992557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90275542417852616882011-02-12T16:03:00.896-07:002011-02-12T16:03:00.896-07:00Thanks, Larry. Interesting comment: "It's...Thanks, Larry. Interesting comment: "It's difficult for agnostics or atheists to accept a mighty voice speaking for all characters." - Good one!<br /><br />Al, I agree with you that the suspense in a thriller can be enhanced by different points of view. It's especially exciting in a nail-biting way when we get into the head of the villain and find out what he's planning on doing to our hero!Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-30584168147867830312011-02-12T13:54:07.539-07:002011-02-12T13:54:07.539-07:00This is a subject that is close to my heart, becau...This is a subject that is close to my heart, because despite the fact I am aware of the problems with "head-hopping," I still find myself screwing up and doing it on occasion.<br /><br />As a thriller writer, I believe laying out the story by alternating POV by chapter can help add suspense, but if done indiscriminately or inside a chapter can be distracting and annoying to the reader.<br /><br />Good piece, and also a timely one, in my case at least...Al Leveronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09875867178918970838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-81260087796509487302011-02-12T13:51:53.590-07:002011-02-12T13:51:53.590-07:00Great advice. My protagonist is always first-pers...Great advice. My protagonist is always first-person, but I use third person familiar for the other characters. Never use omniscent POV--the reader needs to understand who's talking or doing, and it's difficult for agnostics or atheists to accept a mighty voice speaking for all characters.Larry Seeleyhttp://larryseeley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-43148035748030014692011-02-12T13:04:53.472-07:002011-02-12T13:04:53.472-07:00Thanks, George, Michael and bfav. In part 2 of thi...Thanks, George, Michael and bfav. In part 2 of this topic, I'll be giving specific tips on revising to be sure your POV isn't pingponging back and forth, or hovering overhead.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-19318824736276752032011-02-11T23:52:12.514-07:002011-02-11T23:52:12.514-07:00oooh, love this. I'm deep in revision right no...oooh, love this. I'm deep in revision right now and trying to tighten my POV. Thanks for the tips.bfavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14164661338051897220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-73050634902579952802011-02-11T21:19:26.513-07:002011-02-11T21:19:26.513-07:00Excellent and thought-provoking words, Jodie. I ha...Excellent and thought-provoking words, Jodie. I have a problem with multiple POV books. I realize The Time Traveler's Wife won many accolades, but I simply couldn't read it. Tried, but finally gave up.<br /><br />I appreciate your expertise and the great advice you offer in these articles.Michaelhttp://http;//cornelldeville.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10068355494717706872011-02-11T20:23:21.013-07:002011-02-11T20:23:21.013-07:00I guess this deep point of view stuff is the next ...I guess this deep point of view stuff is the next closest thing in third person to writing a novel in the first person.<br /><br />I can see how it would suck the readers into the person's life better than the more distant stance I've been taking. Will work on that. I've got a ways to go to get published, so it's good to get some useful advice.George McLeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-18720783445698147442011-02-11T19:31:13.103-07:002011-02-11T19:31:13.103-07:00Thanks, Della, Emily and LJ. My follow-up blog pos...Thanks, Della, Emily and LJ. My follow-up blog post (or two) will deal with practical ways for aspiring novelists to ensure that you're showing the scene from one point of view at a time.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-56147420134240604932011-02-11T19:20:23.431-07:002011-02-11T19:20:23.431-07:00Thanks for posting about this important subject. S...Thanks for posting about this important subject. So many new writers don't understand that staying in one POV for periods of time is what connects the reader to the character.L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31739862960350494182011-02-11T19:16:14.554-07:002011-02-11T19:16:14.554-07:00Yes, Jodie.
Now that I think about it ...(thanks ...Yes, Jodie.<br /> Now that I think about it ...(thanks for reminding me) a good read has always been much more 'alive' when we can deeply feel and experience all that the protagonist deeply feels and experiences.Emily Wrightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10501793429181204642011-02-11T19:09:12.198-07:002011-02-11T19:09:12.198-07:00Great post, Jodie.
I'm reviewing a longer piec...Great post, Jodie.<br />I'm reviewing a longer piece right now. I'll highlight the POV which 'hovers above the world', just to see THE BIG PICTURE re: how much I've used this method.<br />Thanks.Della Barrettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72826253053719434492011-02-11T18:47:08.097-07:002011-02-11T18:47:08.097-07:00Thanks for your comments, everyone. I got really b...Thanks for your comments, everyone. I got really busy running errands today before going away, and just realized my post was up today! That's what I get for not checking Blood-Red Pencil early in the day.<br /><br />Liza, I like your idea of a camera looking out of the character's eyes.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-24374929959849781112011-02-11T18:42:16.499-07:002011-02-11T18:42:16.499-07:00More brilliant info, Jodie. You are amazing.More brilliant info, Jodie. You are amazing.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17727630549392807909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90762966347369408232011-02-11T16:46:25.143-07:002011-02-11T16:46:25.143-07:00I have a hard time reading multiple POV, even when...I have a hard time reading multiple POV, even when only two characters are alternating chapters. It just pulls me out of the story, and we all know how bad that is to long-term writing success. ;) Thanks for visiting, Jodie. Look forward to the follow-up post!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-24694011078614273412011-02-11T15:14:04.562-07:002011-02-11T15:14:04.562-07:00Head hopping can be so distracting. If it gets too...Head hopping can be so distracting. If it gets too bad, I put the book down.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-68995285803822339522011-02-11T10:54:57.683-07:002011-02-11T10:54:57.683-07:00We're on a wave-length. I've done two blog...We're on a wave-length. I've done two blog posts on POV on my own blog this week, including some exercises. <br /><br />Terry<br /><a href="http://terryodell.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><a href="http://www.terryodell.com" rel="nofollow">Romance with a Twist--of Mystery</a>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-76055302904820735912011-02-11T10:54:28.612-07:002011-02-11T10:54:28.612-07:00Such a helpful post. I read once (here?) that the ...Such a helpful post. I read once (here?) that the best way to write a deep POV is to pretend you are a camera looking out the character's eyes. You can only see (experience) what they do.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70569632940298642572011-02-11T08:04:40.658-07:002011-02-11T08:04:40.658-07:00Oh--and nice profile pic!Oh--and nice profile pic!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-32916115601887284442011-02-11T08:04:26.420-07:002011-02-11T08:04:26.420-07:00Jodie: I think deep POV is one of the most under-u...Jodie: I think deep POV is one of the most under-utilized aspects of the rookie fiction I edit. Thanks for making such a compelling case for it!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.com