Gakked from Auburn.

[icarus]

I'm late to the party, but these days, that's a given. Snagged from Auburn:

Ask me a question about one of my stories or my approach to writing in general. It can be absolutely anything in any fic/general writing experience and I will tell you the honest-to-god answer. Don’t hold back. Anything. Whatever you ask, I will try my best to answer.

Of course, it's been so long, folks have probably forgotten that I've ever written anything, lol.

Lately I've been hearing about:

Out Of Bounds
Dragonlord
Collisions
All Dressed Up And...
Tanlines and Dogtags
Breeding Ground
No More Quasi-Religious Alien Sex Rituals
Beg Me For It

See? I used to be a fanfic writer. ;)

Comments

[elizabeth_rice]

So is it appropriate to ask about your thoughts on point of view, view-point character and mood?

[icarus]

Sure. But that's ... ulp ... a lot.

What do you want to know about pov, viewpoint character, and mood?

[elizabeth_rice]

Oh, ok. I don't wish to write in first pov because the writer should really know the character's voice and right now that's beyond my writing ability. So I'd like to know more about third pov.

Some writers describe one of the third povs like a parrot sitting on the character's shoulder and seeing and hearing the things the character sees and hears. Now some writers further divide the pov where a) the parrot is intuitive, and b) the parrot doesn't know the character's thoughts. And some writers say the parrot is always intuitive. So is the parrot always intuitive?

What are the pros and cons of a) showing the character's thought process and, b) not showing the character's thoughts and limiting it to just what the character sees and hears?

When I show the character's thoughts, obviously I shouldn't give away everything. I mean, I have to create suspense. And what if my character understands people really well, almost like reading their minds - I shouldn't choose him as my viewpoint character?

How do I choose a view-point character?
How do I choose a mood?
Are there any clues and hints that I can pick up on in my story? How do I know what my story needs regarding pov, view point character and mood?

I hope my questions aren't as overwhelming as they appear to me. And I hope I'm making sense. I've read some books on point of view but people have so little to say about it. Thus, I'm stuck.

[icarus]

Many things in writing I learned through experimentation.

But character and viewpoint I learned from Orson Scott Card.

What strikes me as odd about your question is the idea of "choosing" a viewpoint. While I may be aware of the viewpoint and the impact it has on my story (and aware so I don't waver in my viewpoint), the story itself chooses the viewpoint.

When I have a little bunny of an idea, I sit down with a notebook or Word or chat window to a friend and I sketch out bullet points. Those will often be a conversation. The conversation will have a clear initiator and response. Then the internal reaction to the conversation, the part that gives it some context -- "Gee, that was a really weird question for Ron to ask." -- will appear as I write. That reveals the POV character.

I don't fight it. I don't control it. I just run with it.

I surf the idea of a story, get as much of it down while it's fresh, without controlling it. If I try to control it too soon, it'll kill the story.

Some thing with mood. It appears in the bunny.

Now if I control a story closely, I can put out a passably good piece. That's how I wrote No More Quasi-Religious Sex Rituals and The Pandora Effect, for example.

But the best, the ones that grab people -- Primer To The Dark Arts, Beg Me For It, Tanlines & Dogtags, Out Of Bounds -- I let the story grab me.

It sounds to me that learning POV may be important for you, in reality what you need help with is letting go of control. Try From Where You Dream. .

[elizabeth_rice]

Thanks for the book recommendations. (I don't have a credit card but I'll try to look for them.)

in reality what you need help with is letting go of control.
*laughs* You have no idea how many people have told me that. My mom says it too. I know the reason why I can't let go. I'll try to find that book.

the idea of "choosing" a viewpoint.
*smile* That's how the writers of how-to books say it should be done. But...

the story itself chooses the viewpoint
... this is good to know. I guess this is what I wanted to hear (or read!).

When I have a little bunny of an idea ...
*nods* I conceptualise my ideas and characters the same way. I'm new to fiction writing. So I guess I have no confidence... and I can't post it as a WIP because that just kills my desire to write.

the internal reaction to the conversation, the part that gives it some context
Okay. I'll read my scenes again and try to go with what feels right.

What you said about experimentation and awareness is true. The only way to learn is to actually write.

I'm really grateful to you. I'm a little embarrassed that I was broadcasting (correct use?) my nervousness so clearly but I truly appreciate your reply.

Hey, is this what you mean by 'internal reactions'?

[icarus]

Hey, I've been coaching writers for a living for the last five years. I get paid to pick up on that sort of nervousness.

[elizabeth_rice]

I re-read scenes from some of my stories and I'm beginning to understand what you mean about internal reaction. I also noticed where I've been unclear. I wanted to thank you again for your help. Thank you very much. :)

[icarus]

You're welcome. Other people have helped me. It's also good to get a very talented (but gentle) beta.