Point of view- quick question

[sophia jane]

I just started a story in first person past (woman's pov) and as I was writing, it sorta happened that I switched to the male pov using third past. Can I do that? Or do they both need to be in third?
I can never remember the "rules" about pov.

I'm so excited to be writing again! Hey! Another question- is it weird or acceptable or whatever if I include a poem I've posted on lit within the story? Like the character had written it, I mean?

Thanks!

 

[carsonshepherd]

If there are any rules regarding POV I don't follow them. I just go with what feels right, SJ. In this case, I'd have to take a look at the story to see if it works, really.

As far as the poem, as long as you wrote it, I say use it in your story, and then credit yourself at the end.

 

[sophia jane]

If there are any rules regarding POV I don't follow them. I just go with what feels right, SJ. In this case, I'd have to take a look at the story to see if it works, really.

As far as the poem, as long as you wrote it, I say use it in your story, and then credit yourself at the end.

Kay. Thanks. I guess I'll keep writing it like this and then if it sucks my editor will have fun ripping it apart later.

My first time to write a male POV, and I didn't plan to. Scary.

 

[TheEarl]

Sophia: To my mind, as long as you keep to the same tense, you should be a-okay and even that rule can be bent at times. One of my favourite authors, Melvin Burgess, delights in changing POV each chapter, with some being written 1st person in one character, some in 1st person from another and some 3rd person from another character! He does it exceptionally well and gets away with it with no little panache.

The use of a sly detail of real life in a story is called a meta-reference and is perfectly acceptable. I think it's a cute little nudge to the people who'll get the reference and adds a hell of a lot if it's something that your regular readers will get (and feel special that they've got it).

The Earl

 

[Guest]

My first time to write a male POV, and I didn't plan to. Scary.

Any urges to scratch yourself? How about seducing a woman, and then never calling? Belching? Any belching?

 

[sophia jane]

Any urges to scratch yourself? How about seducing a woman, and then never calling? Belching? Any belching?

Hahahaha. This particular man is going to be the kind women like. You know, the kind who calls and doesn't belch, at least not in public and not in the story.

 

[Guest]

Hahahaha. This particular man is going to be the kind women like. You know, the kind who calls and doesn't belch, at least not in public and not in the story.

Ahh, Fantasy Fiction huh?

Gong to make him a Hobbitt too while you're at it?

Will he like long walks on the beach? The Opera over football? Sleeping in the wet spot?

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I just started a story in first person past (woman's pov) and as I was writing, it sorta happened that I switched to the male pov using third past. Can I do that? Or do they both need to be in third?
I can never remember the "rules" about pov.

I'm so excited to be writing again! Hey! Another question- is it weird or acceptable or whatever if I include a poem I've posted on lit within the story? Like the character had written it, I mean?

Thanks!

Not that I have any expertise, but I have done that before, switche POV's between characters...some people like it, and some don't...

I haven't written a poem, but I have written a story within a story, and normally I will italicize the the story within a story....

 

[sophia jane]

Ahh, Fantasy Fiction huh?

Gong to make him a Hobbitt too while you're at it?

Will he like long walks on the beach? The Opera over football? Sleeping in the wet spot?

I don't even like those things.

 

[Guest]

I don't even like those things.

Ok. I enjoyed this, but I have to flee now.

Tomorrow.

 

[TheEarl]

Hahahaha. This particular man is going to be the kind women like. You know, the kind who calls and doesn't belch, at least not in public and not in the story.

It's me! You've described me right from the top of my non-belching-head, down to the soles of my phone-calling-feet.

<BUUURRRP>

Dammit.

The Earl

 

[sophia jane]

It's me! You've described me right from the top of my non-belching-head, down to the soles of my phone-calling-feet.

<BUUURRRP>

Dammit.

The Earl

Shall I include your lovely accent as well?

 

[TheEarl]

Shall I include your lovely accent as well?

Oh, if you must.

Good to see you writing again.

The Earl

 

[sophia jane]

So another question:

have you ever not really liked one of your main characters?

 

[carsonshepherd]

So another question:

have you ever not really liked one of your main characters?

Not personally, since I am egotistical enough to base most of my characters on myself. BUt, I know someone with that problem and it's caused him a hell of a lot of difficulty... almost making the story unfinishable. Find something to like about this character, quick.

 

[sophia jane]

Not personally, since I am egotistical enough to base most of my characters on myself. BUt, I know someone with that problem and it's caused him a hell of a lot of difficulty... almost making the story unfinishable. Find something to like about this character, quick.

Lol. Y'know, it's the male character I'm writing that I don't like. The main female is fine, but writing the male pov parts is hard! He's being an ass, but it's necessary to the story so I just have to let him be an ass. And then, hopefully, wise up.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Lol. Y'know, it's the male character I'm writing that I don't like. The main female is fine, but writing the male pov parts is hard! He's being an ass, but it's necessary to the story so I just have to let him be an ass. And then, hopefully, wise up.

Ah he's a narrator. That does make it tricky... just focus on the redemption part. Let me know if I can help. Good luck

 

[sophia jane]

Ah he's a narrator. That does make it tricky... just focus on the redemption part. Let me know if I can help. Good luck

Thanks. This story is very different from my normal. I just hope it doesn't end up crap.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I just started a story in first person past (woman's pov) and as I was writing, it sorta happened that I switched to the male pov using third past. Can I do that? Or do they both need to be in third?
I can never remember the "rules" about pov.

I'm so excited to be writing again! Hey! Another question- is it weird or acceptable or whatever if I include a poem I've posted on lit within the story? Like the character had written it, I mean?

Thanks!

This isn't h/s or college. The only "rule" is "Don't bore the reader." However, it's a good idea not to confuse them either. Confused readers tend to get bored and stop reading.

The problem with switching pov's and/or tense is the reader may get confused unless the switch is handled with the skill Carson brings to the task. Most mere mortal writers don't.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Evil Alpaca]

I just started a story in first person past (woman's pov) and as I was writing, it sorta happened that I switched to the male pov using third past. Can I do that? Or do they both need to be in third?
I can never remember the "rules" about pov.

I'm so excited to be writing again! Hey! Another question- is it weird or acceptable or whatever if I include a poem I've posted on lit within the story? Like the character had written it, I mean?

Thanks!

Including your own poem is perfectly acceptable. I refer to my other stories all the time, but that's because I'm egocentric.

If you switch tenses like that, IMHO, it'll confuse the reader. If the story is strong enough, it might only knock it down a point or two, but for me, it would be disconcerting.

 

[sophia jane]

Okay, so Rumple and Packy, do you think no pov switch at all is best? Or is it allowable to go from her pov (third past) to his pov (third past)?

His pov has become essential to the story, so the only way to stick with one pov would be to go strictly with his, which I guess would be doable but a pain.

Maybe I should just finish writing the damn thing and then we'll see how that all works out. I'm 5500 words in, so I'm not scrapping the whole thing now.

 

[carsonshepherd]

There is nothing wrong with switching POV. Do what other writers do and just section off the switches with the words:

So-and-so's POV or just their name. Nobody oculd be confused by that.

Go for it. Why the hell not?

 

[sophia jane]

Well first draft done. It's gonna need so much work. Almost 6000 words, which I think may be my longest, but I'm sure after edits and adding more sex I'll go way over 6000.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Okay, so Rumple and Packy, do you think no pov switch at all is best? Or is it allowable to go from her pov (third past) to his pov (third past)?

His pov has become essential to the story, so the only way to stick with one pov would be to go strictly with his, which I guess would be doable but a pain.

Maybe I should just finish writing the damn thing and then we'll see how that all works out. I'm 5500 words in, so I'm not scrapping the whole thing now.

SJ,

Unless you're in a college or h/s English class, there is NO acceptable or allowable, NO right or wrong when writing fiction. The ONLY issue is what works best.

That said, most editors I've encountered seem to believe that as a general rule-of thumb:
It's best if there are no shifts in a short story.
If the story requires a shift, limit it to no more than one.
That applies to POV, time, and tense shifts.

But all of those are just suggestions, rules-of-thumb, guidelines. Writers break them all the time. The trick is to handle the shift(s) in such a smooth, unobtrusive manner the reader isn't "thrown out of the story" and starts to notice the writing.

IMHO, go ahead and write your story the way you feel best, shifts and all. Then take it to the Story Discussion Circle and ask for input. I'd be happy to check it out, either at the SDC or by PM.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[sophia jane]

Good news! Softie (my editor) said the POV switches work. And...he said that I wrote a "real" story. Who'd have thunk it?