I have just posted the final bit of the 1st chapter If I Were a Bird and it is written in the first person, an 8yr old girl. I am now thinking of introducing the older Elsa after each chapter to tell some of the story from her own perspective as the older person. (Am I making any sense here?) My problem is how do I do this? And would it fit in with the flow of the story? I'm overthinking. Help!
Thank you for your input Jimmy and Steve. At the moment I am still toying around with the prospect of introducing older Elsa's views. I think I might re-write the last part on a blank page and extend it with older Elsa and see how it reads. As you say there's no harm in trying and it might just add something to the story line. This is definitely an itch I need to scratch even if I do delete it at least I looked at the option. Thank you again
I'm going to comment surf here and say I agree with Jimmy and would go further. Write these things anyway, you'd be surprised where they lead and the new ideas they bring out even if you never use them.
I wrote a 'Marley's Ghost' section for the prologue of the story I've been posting. It was based on: http://uk.businessinsider.com/its-not-worth-it-linds-reddings-short-lesson-in-perspective-2012-11 (very frank, read with caution) which partly inspired the story. I doubt it will see the light of day but it scratched an itch, expanded my understanding of the character and helped me root him in his present state of mind.
Have a go, I hope it helps.
Steve
I think that it wouldn't hurt to write these end pieces to each chapter (the older Elsa's voice [technical detail: perhaps after 3 asterisks, and in cursive script?]). This doesn't commit you to leaving them in the finished work: you might decide to jettison them. But they MIGHT give you insights into modifying 8-year-old Elsa's narration. Perhaps an older Elsa knows things about young Elsa of which you won't be aware until you allow her to speak. (Even if, later, you decide not to let the reader hear her.)