Changing Author POV: Story Suicide?

[desertslave]

I now have two posted stories under my belt, and even got some nice reviews on them. Woohoo!

I have a series of stories (4 so far) that have been kicking around for a few years now. They're in a timeline, and could work as chapters of a longer work, but I have a slight problem. I didn't write them in sequence, or even for the same intentions, so two of them are in first person, and two are in third person. Curiously, they alternate: 1st, 3rd, 1st, 3rd. I rather like them as-is but I'm concerned...would this alternating POV make readers crazy?

 

[cantdog]

I liked Dracula, even though the POV changed. On Lit, you have the advantage of posting chapter-by-chapter, and it works best when the chapters can stand alone a little, which these clearly will do. Do a serious edit job on 'em, and then go for it.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I too have a series of stories which were written at different times but the goal was to have them as a complete work...the first 3 chapters are in 3rd pov the next 3 are in 1st pov the one in 3rd the rest in 1st.

I too am wondering how they will be received...let me know how yours do.

 

[Oblimo]

If they are each short stories in their own right, with a beginning, middle, and end, that tie together in an overarching plot and theme, it's a perfectly sound techinque. I mean, Stephen King did exactly that in Hearts in Atlantis, and no one's docked his pay because of it.

Less independent chapters may be trickier. Narrative voice switches between chapters need an additional gimmick to signal to the reader what's going on--and, most importantly IMO, and in-story reason why the perspective has shifted. As mentioned, the easiest is a character cracking open someone's detailed diary.

But since you start with the first person, you have another opportunity: why not have the story switch because the 1st person narrator himself has switched? "I learned all this later, you understand..." etc.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

My highest rated story has a POV switch in the middle for dramatic purposes. It must have worked.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Lit is a great place to experiment with this stuff. If you get enough feedback, you can easily edit, or re-write...

 

[TheeGoatPig]

If they are each short stories in their own right, with a beginning, middle, and end, that tie together in an overarching plot and theme, it's a perfectly sound techinque. I mean, Stephen King did exactly that in Hearts in Atlantis, and no one's docked his pay because of it.

Less independent chapters may be trickier. Narrative voice switches between chapters need an additional gimmick to signal to the reader what's going on--and, most importantly IMO, and in-story reason why the perspective has shifted. As mentioned, the easiest is a character cracking open someone's detailed diary.

But since you start with the first person, you have another opportunity: why not have the story switch because the 1st person narrator himself has switched? "I learned all this later, you understand..." etc.

My thriller novel that I am writing just got a spark of inspiration from you. I might write all of the one character's scenes in first person, and the rest in third, but never explain why. I feel that if I do it correctly, I won't have to explain it (so I will probably fail at that, but if I try that should be enough ).

 

[Oblimo]

You just like being difficult, TGP.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Sometimes

 

[desertslave]

Thanks, everyone!

I worked on rewriting one story into first person, and it's just plain awkward. I guess there's a certain symmetry in how the stories are lining up, so I think I'll leave well enough alone, and just do some polishing.

 

[sr71plt]

Don't sweat it. Changing POV between chapters--or even sections within chapters is quite standard. And that doesn't really have that much to do with bringing the story off. Lots of stories are successful for breaking the rules and lots of stories that follow all the rules are unsuccessful. Many factors go into a story that "works."

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Actually my Walker Brigade series changes POV, it's all written in 1st person voice but jumps from character to character. So far I haven't had any complaints, as a matter of fact one reader really enjoyed the shift between characters.

 

[Weird Harold]

My thriller novel that I am writing just got a spark of inspiration from you. I might write all of the one character's scenes in first person, and the rest in third, but never explain why. I feel that if I do it correctly, I won't have to explain it (so I will probably fail at that, but if I try that should be enough ).

L.E. Modesitt does that with almost of the "Magic of Recluse" series. It works well, because he is consistent and the changing POV and Tense (he also shifts from past to present somethimes) helps identify the plot threads.

As long as you're consistent in your inconsistency, a lot of readers simply won't notice and those that do will generally understand your purpose in shifting POVs.

 

[emap]

What he said. Also I got faith in you, go with what you want and it will be good.

Generally the biggest killer of a story is the author didn't like what they were writing and that shows, if the author loves the story it makes for a better story. I know weird but it generally works out that way. I mean try reading the manual for a stereo.