Third Person POV

[chocolatecookie3]

Hi people! This is my first thread. I'm working on some stories that I will submit soon. Here is a question for you guys still up on Christmas Eve. I feel that I have the mechanics of writing down, so I know how to write a scene in third person. However, I usually only do third person limited because it is confusing to me to read multiple people's thoughts at the same time. I've noticed that a lot of the stories on here do tend to jump around, so I'm wondering: what are the commonly accepted rules of writing in third person omniscient? How do you switch from person to person in the same scene without driving people crazy?

 

[PennLady]

Hi Cookie.

Real quick: there aren't any hard and fast rules here. I write multiple characters 3d person all the time.

My rough guidelines are:

* one character's POV per scene
* if switching within a scene, have a transition

Ex:

He pulled her to him, marveling at the feel of her and wondering how she would taste as he dipped down for a kiss.
(transition to new paragraph)
She gripped his arms and turned her face up to his. She'd been dreaming of a moment like this and never thought it would happen.

Sorry, not great examples but it's late on Christmas Eve. And one thing to keep in mind is you are not obligated to have every character's POV in a scene. You can have a character per scene, as I often do, or a couple. So long as you make it clear to the reader who's POV it is, the reader will be fine.

Good luck!

 

[glynndah]

I agree with PennLady.

A welcome to the little newbie from the good little witch.