Comments on: A second viewpoint character http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/ musings, thoughts, and writings of Barbara W. Klaser Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:23:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.3-beta1 Comment on A second viewpoint character by: cassie-b http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1220 Fri, 16 Sep 2005 14:20:22 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1220 I only write technical stuff, and blogs. And an occasional email to catch up with old friends. It's very interesting to hear this side of writing a novel. Thanks I only write technical stuff, and blogs. And an occasional email to catch up with old friends. It’s very interesting to hear this side of writing a novel.

Thanks

]]> Comment on A second viewpoint character by: blogdog http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1219 Thu, 15 Sep 2005 14:47:15 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1219 You were a technical writer too? You escaped! You were a technical writer too? You escaped!

]]> Comment on A second viewpoint character by: Reenie http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1218 Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:50:51 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1218 I had no apparitions or pushy characters or social engagements with the secondary characters of my book. I’m not that evolved. But upon the sage advice of a good critique, I rewrote my manuscript from 1st to 3rd person POV. The only groan heard ‘round the world was mine – not a ghostly character about to pounce from the sidelines. I balked for 2 months – I’m a stubborn old fool. I had never done a total re-haul. It seemed daunting. One never hears writers speak of rewrites with enthusiasm. Well, I’m here today to tell ya I had a blast with my rewrite. My antagonist especially came to life – it was way too much fun – enormously changed the book for the better. Writing was far more exciting than the first draft – possibly because I already knew the characters so well and the 3rd person POV allowed pivotal involvement with my antagonist. I knew this guy cold – just hadn’t let him ‘speak.’ It was glorious to invite him more completely into the book. In that regard, the experience was otherworldly as he resurrected. Like Eric observed, my secondary character became far more interesting than my predictable protaganist. I love Rosie’s idea of engaging in conversation with a character – so simple, so brilliant. What a great venue to give tangible life to a character. How much easier it may have been if I had invited my characters for coffee… or a martini! It's never too late - I see more rewrites in my future, and I am halfway through a second book. Barbara, I learn so much via your blogging and the participatory feedback. You make me think and grow, and often validate my place in our unique genre as writers. We are a delightfully different bunch! I had no apparitions or pushy characters or social engagements with the secondary characters of my book. I’m not that evolved. But upon the sage advice of a good critique, I rewrote my manuscript from 1st to 3rd person POV. The only groan heard ‘round the world was mine – not a ghostly character about to pounce from the sidelines. I balked for 2 months – I’m a stubborn old fool. I had never done a total re-haul. It seemed daunting. One never hears writers speak of rewrites with enthusiasm. Well, I’m here today to tell ya I had a blast with my rewrite. My antagonist especially came to life – it was way too much fun – enormously changed the book for the better. Writing was far more exciting than the first draft – possibly because I already knew the characters so well and the 3rd person POV allowed pivotal involvement with my antagonist. I knew this guy cold – just hadn’t let him ‘speak.’ It was glorious to invite him more completely into the book. In that regard, the experience was otherworldly as he resurrected. Like Eric observed, my secondary character became far more interesting than my predictable protaganist.

I love Rosie’s idea of engaging in conversation with a character – so simple, so brilliant. What a great venue to give tangible life to a character. How much easier it may have been if I had invited my characters for coffee… or a martini! It’s never too late - I see more rewrites in my future, and I am halfway through a second book.

Barbara, I learn so much via your blogging and the participatory feedback. You make me think and grow, and often validate my place in our unique genre as writers. We are a delightfully different bunch!

]]> Comment on A second viewpoint character by: Sarah http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1217 Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:08:39 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1217 I'm just now reading a book in which I am reasonably sure one of the characters (and her viewpoint) did the same thing to that author: demanded to be included. And she really does add verve and spice to the whole story. You think to youself, "hmmm...if this were a tv series, we'd be talking spin-off." I know you're an on again/off again blogger, but so what? Quality makes up for quantity any day! And I'm looking forward to reading the book when it's published. I’m just now reading a book in which I am reasonably sure one of the characters (and her viewpoint) did the same thing to that author: demanded to be included. And she really does add verve and spice to the whole story. You think to youself, “hmmm…if this were a tv series, we’d be talking spin-off.”

I know you’re an on again/off again blogger, but so what? Quality makes up for quantity any day! And I’m looking forward to reading the book when it’s published.

]]> Comment on A second viewpoint character by: Eric Mayer http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1216 Tue, 13 Sep 2005 23:31:33 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1216 I like multiple viewpoints both as a reader and a writer. When Mary and I write, invariably some minor characters beg to become more prominent and other characters pop out of nowhere, just because their viewpoints seem to be needed. Often, these folks turn out to be more interesting than the major characters.I think more viewpoints add more depth and thus more interest. More and more I tend to think that the only important thing is to tell the story. All the "rules" about viewpoints and such really are only of interest to critics. If I, as a reader who writes, doesn't even care about them, what readers do? What I say is just do whatever it takes to tell the story. I like multiple viewpoints both as a reader and a writer. When Mary and I write, invariably some minor characters beg to become more prominent and other characters pop out of nowhere, just because their viewpoints seem to be needed. Often, these folks turn out to be more interesting than the major characters.I think more viewpoints add more depth and thus more interest.

More and more I tend to think that the only important thing is to tell the story. All the “rules” about viewpoints and such really are only of interest to critics. If I, as a reader who writes, doesn’t even care about them, what readers do? What I say is just do whatever it takes to tell the story.

]]> Comment on A second viewpoint character by: Barbara W. Klaser http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1215 Tue, 13 Sep 2005 23:18:05 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1215 Hi Rosie! They're both now third person limited. Hi Rosie! They’re both now third person limited.

]]> Comment on A second viewpoint character by: Rosie http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1214 Tue, 13 Sep 2005 21:22:58 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2005/09/13/a-second-viewpoint-character/#comment-1214 I'm a great believer in listening to what my characters tell me. Sometimes, especially if I'm having a problem with characterisation, I'll take one of them oout to dinner. When we have an informal chat like that, it's amazing what comes out in the conversation. Are both your points of view going to be first person? Nothing wrong with that except that if the narrative voices aren't well distinguished it can be confusing. On the other hand combining a first-person and a third-person POV worked a treat for Charles Dickens in <i>Bleak House</i>. Rosie I’m a great believer in listening to what my characters tell me. Sometimes, especially if I’m having a problem with characterisation, I’ll take one of them oout to dinner. When we have an informal chat like that, it’s amazing what comes out in the conversation.

Are both your points of view going to be first person? Nothing wrong with that except that if the narrative voices aren’t well distinguished it can be confusing. On the other hand combining a first-person and a third-person POV worked a treat for Charles Dickens in Bleak House.

Rosie

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