Multiple POVs Versus Head Hopping
I've been told writers should separate point of views by a space, a symbol or just a couple of clear sentences denoting the shift. Also, I've been informed that two point of views per chapter is more than enough.
The rules are ingrained now.
So... I read a current novel in which there were several POV characters. I didn't get lost. Each POV was appropriately marked.
Then I picked up a romance author I haven't read in a long time, but she used to be my favorite when I was a teenager. There was head-hopping all over the place. I was so completely distracted but I persevered with the read because I hoped that, based on my past experiences with her stories, I'd glean some emotional satisfaction from her book.
Guess which book made my eyes prick with tears? Boy, was I surprised. The head-hopping author. Somehow I managed to connect to the heroine of the story and when the black moment came, I felt it.
In the book that followed the rules, I didn't know who to connect to because there were so many strong POVs. Whereas the head-hopping book peeked into characters' brains and liberally abused omniscient pov, yet the main characters were stronger than anyone else.
What do you prefer? Do you use more than two point of views in your novel? How do you give the reader someone to root for? And ... do you head-hop?
The rules are ingrained now.
So... I read a current novel in which there were several POV characters. I didn't get lost. Each POV was appropriately marked.
Then I picked up a romance author I haven't read in a long time, but she used to be my favorite when I was a teenager. There was head-hopping all over the place. I was so completely distracted but I persevered with the read because I hoped that, based on my past experiences with her stories, I'd glean some emotional satisfaction from her book.
Guess which book made my eyes prick with tears? Boy, was I surprised. The head-hopping author. Somehow I managed to connect to the heroine of the story and when the black moment came, I felt it.
In the book that followed the rules, I didn't know who to connect to because there were so many strong POVs. Whereas the head-hopping book peeked into characters' brains and liberally abused omniscient pov, yet the main characters were stronger than anyone else.
What do you prefer? Do you use more than two point of views in your novel? How do you give the reader someone to root for? And ... do you head-hop?
Comments
As for "How do you give the reader someone to root for?", well, when I figure that out, I suspect I'll finally be ready to sell. Looking forward to hearing how people do this!
Head hopping didn't used to bother me but now it does, which is why I was shocked that I actually connected to the heroine. It sounds silly, but I was surprised by the feeling. I think two POVs is enough. Three if there's a villain.
PS. I just read a contest entry that had 6 POVs and one of them was omniscient!! And that was all in one chapter. I had a headache by the end.
I thought it was weird too. Completely unexpected but I guess that's why that author used to be one of my faves.
Yeah, in romances there really doesn't need to be more than two. The one I read was more of a thriller.
I haven't read her but you're probably right about her having good craft.
I didn't know you write in first person! :-)
Nora Roberts does headhop but I like her writing so much that it doesn't usually bother me. :-)
I think you hit it right there. If it's not confusing, the average reader won't even notice. Just us writers. LOL!
It's almost better when I didn't pay attention! :-)
I head hopped like crazy too. Now I try to not use more than two povs per scene. If you're writing feels stagnant, go ahead and head hop. If the story is great I have a feeling no one will care. :-) Go with your gut, not the "rules".
I've actually never read that book. I like your philosophy! LOL
Every book I've written has three POV characters... I just realized that. I don't do it intentionally. But there ya go. Three seems to be my number. :)
I don't enjoy head-hopping. It jars me too much. Although I don't might POV changes if done well--meaning the author sticks with that character long enough to give me insight into them.
I read a book once that head hopped, but each time it was an entire chapter in that person's POV. Then the next chapter switched. Each chapter even backed up a bit from the last. When one scene ended, the next chapter began a little before the last scene ended, but now from a different characters perspective. I liked it and someday plan on writing a book like that!
Thanks for commenting. So do you write in first person too? Or just third all the way through? If there are multiple pov's I don't mind the shift during a chapter.
That sounds intriguing. I don't think I've ever read a book like that, that I know of. Interesting.
Great point that sometimes we need a pov character to deepen the characterization of the mc.
I'm trying my hand at first person POV in my new novel and I know it's gonna be a challenge. I'm so used to having multiple POVs that I'm sure I'll commit many mistakes lethal to first person because of it :P
I really don't find that many books with head-hopping, the only one was an old Jude Deveraeux(SP) I picked up. I used to love her when I was younger, and I wanted to see if I still enjoyed her books. There was TONS of head-hopping in it, and even though I did finish it - I do think the story suffered from it.
Gilbert Morris is one of my fav. novelists, and someone recently pointed out his head hopping method to me. I love his stories and characters so much that i hadn't even noticed. If a tale is compelling enough, you are drawn in. The rules go bye-bye!
I write suspense, and work with a number of POV's - no head-hopping here. The main characters, the husband and wife, get the most page time. They're the ones in danger, and deal with day-to-day traumas.
One of you has critiqued my first chapter and said I established a rapport with the wife and child. Hubby appears in Chapter 2.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Lucky you. :-) I hope you sell your memoir. You're a beautiful writer.
Head hopping is different point of views. Like when you're reading a book and Karen thinks something in one paragraph, and then the next paragraph Jessie thinks Karen's overthinking, and then the next sentence Karen tells Jessie to quit frowning at her and thinks Jessie is being silly. LOL!
Lots of thoughts and feelings from different characters in a short amount of space.
The story probably did suffer. Funny, I don't remember head hopping in any of her books. Now I want to check. LOL
It could be the older books. The one I read is, I think, almost ten years old.
Haahaa! Well-said. I used to read Morris too. Very true. When it's good, we don't notice (unless we've become an analytical reader, snort!)
Your book sounds great. I love suspense! Maybe someday I can peak at your pages??? :-)
I totally agree. Omniscient isn't always bad, I just get unused to it with newer romances. It's def. in the old ones and maybe in some literary writing? I've never heard someone say they love it though. LOL!
Great points! There should be a reason for changing povs, and I think it goes into deepening characterization and ramping up tension.
Emotive characters... something I need to learn about. :-)
Thanks for stopping by!
Good point about Austen's work. Guess that's why she's a classic. :-)
Love your opinion here. :-) I don't mind multiple pov's either, if I have someone to connect to.
Thank you for stopping by!
In fact, I only learned that expectation recently. My agent and I are having trouble selling my historical romance that is written in first person. Unfortunately, that's something I can't change for that particular story, so we're just going to have to keep trying and hope I can break the mold.
Some stories dictate to the author how the POV will be handled. It's as simple as that. Personally, I think that any POV should work in any genre, as long as it's handled well. Now, if I could just get the editors to see it that way. Harumph.
You know, I would've never guessed that first person pov would be an issue in a historical romance. I hope you break the mold too because WLW needs to see the light of day! And make it to the bestseller list. :-)
Thanks for commenting. :-) I agree completely about predictability! LOL
AND- I'm glad I wasn't the only one who cried with that fire fighter-kids in car video! I had my hands over my mouth the whole time and was so scared they weren't gonna get the little boy-tho I already knew they were successful. I still feel overwhelmed with that video--It would have been terrible to have that video if they had not gotten them out--It reminded me of the 9/11 planes crashing-Seeing it made me feel helpless and angry that I-personally- could not be there to help.
I NEVER accept changing POV in the same chapter and never accept head hopping all over the place - it bugs me....just does....as well, I'd probably feel too jittered to read a novel with too many POV's and I can't tell you what Too Many is --more than 4?
There is also an example of a book I recently read that had only two POV's but the author would write one chapter in one character's POV, then the next was in the other character's POV, and so on they went first one, then the other, switching every other chapter - drove me crazy! while there were only 2 POV's -I couldn't get into one character long enough to care before the author switched.
Even if head hopping is done really well, I still can't quite adjust myself to that style of writing. I like it when an author picks a POV and stays in that ONE POV for that chapter and only switches POV when the chapter changes . . . and I'd wonder at a book that has many POV's - 3 or 4 seems like plenty.
I'd love to write a multiple POV book one day, but I'd never head hop - I just can't - won't won't won't *laughing*
I never, ever use italics. Okay, maybe once or twice in the whole story, but that's it. Interesting about King. I've never read him so I didn't know that.
Yeah, I feeling a little freaked out when I watched that video. I was watching the mom pace around, just knowing how crazy she must've felt with her little boy trapped in there.
Yes, I can see you feel strongly about this. Well, I have a tendency of switching pov in the middle of a chapter, and I like to do it, so I'm just warning you in advance, assuming you read one of my books when I'm pubbed. LOL
Thanks for stopping by! You've been so busy. I appreciate your comment. :-) Now, rest up girl!