As I started writing on the weekend, it amazed me where my first problem would come from. Not plot, not characterization, but with perspective. I know it's a common sticking point, but I'd done my research, done my planning, and as I started writing I the classic left shoulder/right shoulder argument creating a din while I was trying to write.
The story is supposed to be third person, and I thought I'd sorted out if it was personal vs. omniscient, but it seemed every sentence I wrote I was analysing it. I'm more concerned that I'm thinking about it so much as opposed to which one should be the perspective I should use.
It's important that I get the words out, but I'm finding this more disruptive to the process than going back and re-reading and editing every paragraph because it's halting the flow of writing. Has anyone come up against this problem before (I'm sure there are some), and if so, how did you overcome or at least deal with or push aside the argument so you could at least get something down?
It's almost like I'm having the argument as I'm translating the words from one half of the brain to my fingers, and its just really frustrating. I just want the words to flow, not get analysed as I'm trying to type them.
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18,683 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 14 20
Some people will tell you just to write and not worry about it. That could be good advice, but as you say, not having it settled can really disrupt your writing. When I'm struggling with this issue, I find it helpful to choose a point of view and write a few pages using that perspective, or pick out a few pages you've already written using that perspective. (I'd say a chapter, but we've only got a month, so two or three pages is probably more realistic.) Then write the same scene from the other perspective that you're considering. Compare the two, and you'll probably find that one just reads better, or that one felt more appropriate as you were writing. Go with the one you feel most comfortable with at this point.
And remember: it's a first draft. If you falter at times and give a limited p.o.v. narrator a little omniscience now and then, or give an omniscient narrator an occasional blind spot, you'll fix it in revisions. Second drafts are all about catching point-of-view discrepancies.
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Catherine Petrini
Children's and Young Adults' Book Author
blog: http://petrini1.livejournal.com/
e-mail: petrini1@aol.com
42,047 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 14 28
I had this issue last year with my novel - started it in 3rd person and suddenly realized that the POV was wrong when I kept having to go back and take out the word "I". (I know - revision is for December.)
Anyway, the way I got around the issue was to not get around it at all. There was a reason my main character was interjecting her voice - it was her story and she wanted it told in the first person. So I changed the POV to 1st person and suddenly the story just started to flow. The more I let her tell the story, the more I got into the story, the faster I was able to write, etc., etc.
So - it may be that one of your characters is trying to let you know that the story is really supposed to be told from their perspective, whether that is still 3rd person or 1st person is also up to your character. Cat's suggestion of one scene from both perspectives is a great one to help you figure it out, unless you can already tell who is rearing their head and saying "LET ME TELL IT!" in which case - let them.
----------Liadona
aka Liadona Rau (SL)
2007 - yeah, epic fail, not even a title
2008 - "NOLA Bound"
2009 - "Her Sister's Gem
"Prince Griffin and the Dark Forest" (a children's book written in 1 day)
8,194 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 16 53
I have a problem similar to yours! I'm in Chapter 2 and suddenly hate the POV I'm writing in (3rd person)! The best thing to do is to leave it alone and continue, because trying to change it is only going to get you behind. That's what I'm doing.
----------~Lone Writer~
46,079 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 19 44
If it is any comfort about 3 chapters of my novel are highlighted in Teal at the moment because I eventually will have to rewrite the chapters due to a sudden decision to tell my story in first person mode instead of third. Hopefully there won't come a time where the colors get reversed and I switch back!
16,492 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 20 04
I had that problem too. I searched my bookshelves for some of my favorites and found one in first person and one in third. I read a few pages of each (ok, maybe chapters), and then compared them to my writing and story. It really helped me decide - third person it is! I still slip into "I" every now and then, but I'll fix it later.
2,724 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 21 23
Thanks to all who replied and offered some ideas. Have taken some of them as well as some offline suggestions and while its still a work in progress (overcoming the obstacle, as well as the novel), I've made some pretty good progress sorting things out. Much appreciated.
Now just 9 days behind. :)