Authors, Readers, Editors! Lend me your opinions!

[SpecialK]

I need some feedback here.

A male friend and I have collaborated on a story. The story is called "He Said, She Said". Basically, we each wrote the same story but mine is from the female character's perspective, and his is from the male's.

Now what I'm wondering is what would be the best way to present the story. Should I submit it as two separate stories? "He Said, She Said - Part One: Him", etc.... or, should the story be submitted altogether, with her part following his? Or, should we somehow try to interlace the stories so that instead of having two stories, there is just one?

Also, any opinions about whether you would read a story like this. Would you be interested in reading two versions of the same story?

It was a unique project for me, and it came together quite nicely as far as the writing went. It is the editting and putting together to submit stuff that has me a bit unsure.

Thanks in advance,

K

 

[Guest]

Poohlive and I have worked together on a story as well, but he and I wrote a few paragraphs to a page and then bounced the story back to the other one. We mixed it together on purpose. I like the idea of the male & female point of views of the same story! (And I'm "mad" you beat me to it! lol) I think it would look better as two separate submissions...like two different chapters so to speak. Good luck to you!

~Tiggs~
http://www.freebackgrounds.com/kit12.gif

 

[E.NonnyMuse]

He Said, She Said

I have a story like this still in the planning stage, i.e., nothing written, and I think I'll alternate pov's between hubby and wifey, combining their two versions of the same evening into one story. There may be more on the site, but check out "He&She" by Whirling Dervish(erotic couplings) to see if you like the two pov's, one story format. I look forward to reading it. Write it!

 

[Guest]

I think it could work well mixing the two together a little at a time - the Point Of View bouncing back and forth. I've seen stories like that that worked really well - especially if the two characters have a slightly different understanding/interpretation of the same situation. I'd be more like to read that than two separate stories with the same plot.

 

[KillerMuffin]

What Roger said.

 

[Whispersecret]

I think that this could prove a very difficult balancing act. It's my opinion that only a very skilled writer(s) could pull this off and have it work smoothly.

A less complex option would be to write a scene in Character 1's pov. Switch to Character 2's pov for the next scene, but include Char. 2's thoughts about what just happened in the previous scene. Don't switch back and forth too much, or the readder will feel like he's watching a ping-pong match. Stay with one character's pov long enough so that the reader doesn't feel the jump so often that it becomes annoying.

I think you should look at whether this dual point of view of the exact same events adds THAT MUCH to the story that you're willing to walk this particular tightrope. Like I said, it's going to be tricky.

 

[SpecialK]

Damn you people bring up some good points! And I'm still just as stuck as I was before! Aarrgg!

K

 

[Alexander Croiux]

point of view

I agree with what whisper said about something like this taking a lot of skill to pull off. It is an interesting idea but as far as would people want ot read it... well, things such as this can be challenging to read. but with that said, does it really matter enough if people want to read it or not to change the way the story is set up?

if you want to read an excellent example of interlaced narative from multiple characters check out the novel "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner.

sincerely,

Alexander Croiux

 

[GuyJD]

TWO STORIES IS BETTER THAN ONE

I would go with two seperate stories, as told by both parties, SpecialK. I read one of the caliber recently. I don't remember the story itself but you may want to examine it in the White Shadow's website. That is where I saw it.

 

[GuyJD]

SOME TOLD ME THAT IT CAN'T BE DONE, BUT.....

Damn you people bring up some good points! And I'm still just as stuck as I was before! Aarrgg!

K

WHEN I WROTE THE STORY, "BREAKING IN THE NEW COWORKER", I GOT ALOT OF E-MAIL SAYING THAT IT WAS A GREAT STORY BUT IT WAS A PITY THAT IT LEFT NO OPENING FOR A SEQUEL. SO I RE-READ THE STORY AND PUT MY MIND TO WORK AND CAME UP WITH A PERFECT IDEA FOR A SEQUEL. PART 2 WILL BE NARRATED BY THE GIRL, NOW A WOMAN ON HER BETTER JOB (AS STATED ON THE END OF PART 1). IN FACT, LAUREL MAY REMEMBER WHEN I SUBMITTED ONE TO HER BUT I DECLINED TO HAVE IT POSTED BECAUSE I WASN'T HAPPY WITH ITS CONTENT. I'M SORRY, I TRY TO BE A PERFECTIONATE WITH MY LITERARY WORK.