Hi folks
New to the boards and posting my first question. I've started a short story where I think changing the viewpoint of the story from one character to another would be appropriate. How would you suggest I format this? One suggestion I had was having a few asterisks between the paragraphs with the different viewpoints.
Has anyone else done this with their own work?
Thanks
Hi Asuntha
The child narrative followed by the adult perspective was exactly how I planned to do it, but also with the asterisk separating the two paragraphs. It probably is a bit risky but as you say, if I can work the styles in there well enough, I might pull it off.
I'd never heard that rule either. I know it's not advised but never heard it wasn't allowed. I've also heard changing tenses isn't advised either.
Thanks for your input and suggestions.
Welcome! :D
And in answer to your question:
Well, asterics seems (to me) too typical, even though, apparently, it's not allowed in short stories? (First time I'm hearing this rule!)
What I suggest is experimenting (Ok, may be you might not want to take the risk for this competition, but hear me out) For example, the child narrative can have one style of writing, and the adult, well, a more adulting view-point. if you work the styles into the story well, and you are successful, it'll be plus points on your side all the way.
Another suggestion is the tenses. Mess with them. It's always fun with Short Stories. Recently I did one, where the whole story is in present tense, and then climax is from a different view point is in past.
I don't know how this will help you, but I hope it did :)
No I'm afraid not, I've never been near a script in my life! A lot of films and fiction follow the same logic though - beginning - middle - end. It just helps to keep things tidy.