tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post624851331084256143..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: Why You Should Know Who Your Narrator Is Talking ToJanice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-31082262539167381032021-05-06T14:04:56.941-04:002021-05-06T14:04:56.941-04:00Sure. It's not set in stone, but if readers ar...Sure. It's not set in stone, but if readers are used to a particular type of point of view and narrator, and a novel is outside that and doesn't fit their expectations, they might not care for the book. They read that type of book because they like that type of narrator and voice (and POV style).<br /><br />Police procedurals are often third person omniscient, and the narrator is a "see and knows all" type talking to the reader (but not a breaking the fourth wall way). YA is often first person, because readers want that closeness. <br /><br />Romances typically have dual POVs, one for each love interest. Not seeing one character's POV would likely feel odd and not like a "real romance" to some readers. <br /><br />Having an adult-sounding narrator in a middle grade novel probably won't connect with readers, because they want to see the story from a kids' perspective. Even when the narrator is an adult, they usually have a silly or kid-like voice and see the world as a kid would.<br /><br />An overly introspective YA narrator makes the characters feel too adult, and a self-absorbed narrator in an adult novel might feel to young and "teenish."<br /><br />Whatever your genre, it's useful to consider what's normal and what readers expect from that type of book. There's usually some variety, but if you go too outside the "norm," the reader experience isn't what they bought the book to get. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-71814109130105157262021-05-05T17:04:37.769-04:002021-05-05T17:04:37.769-04:00You mention that different genres have differing e...You mention that different genres have differing expectations, care to expand on that a bit? :) widdershinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04205462833259334647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-32391210665832875092021-05-04T12:32:03.217-04:002021-05-04T12:32:03.217-04:00Most welcome. The first to third switch is a tough...Most welcome. The first to third switch is a tough one. I've only read a few books that did it well and didn't jar me out of the story. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-35802270117899814532021-05-04T12:31:09.264-04:002021-05-04T12:31:09.264-04:00Thanks! Sometimes it's not easy, especially in...Thanks! Sometimes it's not easy, especially in an early draft.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-91612982977276976042021-05-04T09:17:40.885-04:002021-05-04T09:17:40.885-04:00The post is timely! The hubby and I were discussin...The post is timely! The hubby and I were discussing this topic yesterday. He has a hard time reading novels that switch from third person to first person, even if by chapter. It pulls him out of the story.<br /><br />When I began writing in ernest I did a whole lot of head hopping. That took a while to get past. Reading aloud helped.<br /><br />Thank you for this very thorough post!Ellen L. Buikemahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16784292332544972350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-86964569923475752452021-05-02T05:40:34.780-04:002021-05-02T05:40:34.780-04:00A wonderful post. I'm not sure I always know w...A wonderful post. I'm not sure I always know who my narrator is, although I do try. V.M.Sanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587346074785148671noreply@blogger.com