When you write a novel..?

Question

When you write a novel and its multiple view point (more than one narrating character), how do you notify the reader that a different person is narrating? How do you tell them who it is?

Have you ever read a book with more than one viewpoint. If so, how did that author switch between viewpoints.

P.S. I already know you don't change viewpoints in mid chapter.

Answer 1

it should be obvious without announcing it because your two characters should be different. If they both think the same, then what's the point of having more then one narrator?

But if you want a more diffinitive way of telling, instead of naming chapters, just use the narrator's names

Answer 2

I haven't written a novel, but have read several that do what you describe.
I believe that Wilkie Collins was the first to popularize this. In his novel The Moonstone (which I think was the first novel to do this), it opens something like, "I was asked to write down what I remember . . ." and in a few chapters the narrator says, "This concludes my role in the story. I pass the tale on to . . ." Then a new narrator comes in. The narrators all have different vocabulary and writing styles in this book, to reinforce the impression that it is not Collins speaking.
This is a very clear way to change narrators. If you want to be less obvious about it, you can do things like change the names of characters between narrators, ie "mom" becomes "Pam" becomes "Mrs. Thompson" depending on the narrator's relationship with Pam Thompson.
Good luck, and hope this helped some.

Answer 3

It can be done. You would just have to figure out a way to use some characterization to indicate to your audience who was narrating. Let's say for argument's sake you establish one narrator hates cats. In one chapter, you could start with the narrator saying "Get out of my way, you ugly beast!" I said, tripping over my neighbor's cat.

In each chapter you would have to find a way to use the characterization you have already established to separate the two people. It would help if the characters were polar opposites. It would make it easier on you.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 4

Third person omniscient is:" He she it did, said, felt, thought. First person singular: I did I felt I thought.
I am currently writing a novel with at least seven different characters and their points of view. I write different scenes for each one. i.e.

Ralph looked out the window and flicked his cigarette butt over the metal railing that ran along the edge. He laughed when he saw it land on the top of an old man's hat.
---
Laura knew she had a problem. She was in love but didn't want to be.
---
Sarah hated her mother. The problem was, she grew more and more like her everyday.

All you're doing is changing whom you're writing about. The above three examples are third person omniscient.

---
I detested my English teacher. I vowed one day I'd write something that would wipe that smirk off his smug little ferret face.

I told you that one day I'd be a success. Its your misfortune that you did not believe me.

---
I watched the bus rattling down the cobblestone road. As I looked on, a small girl skipped toward the road, unsupervised and unaware. Without thought, I threw myself onto the road, grabbing her and rolling us both out of the way
of the bus' path and into the arms of safety.

Does this give you an idea of how to work it?

Answer 5

Not to say there is not one, but I have never heard of a novel that has two protagonists that both use first person narration. In third person, limited or omnisicient, the narrator speaks as if they are observing the action. It is fairly obvious who is doing and recieving the action.

Answer 6

You change paragraphs, and usually alert the reader with * or symbols between them. Many people do this. Tolkien, James Patterson, Chris Paolini, and Johnathon Stroud do it but beginning a new chapter, and Stroud goes so far as to put the character's name up as a header on the first page. To clue the reader in, state something specifically in the new PoV char's perspective, and stay consistent:

Paul ran, chest heaving, from the rabid dog. As he neared his front door, though, his shoelace caught on a root. As he slammed into the dirt, blackness surged up to meet him.....

*****

The dog closed in on the fallen boy, smelling the sweat and fear rising off him like a noxious cloud. She circled, watching him notice her a freeze. Their eyes locked. Bearing her teeth, she lowered her muzzle to his face. The boy threw up and arm, but she pushed passed it commenced to licking his face with purely canine joy.

I write, and I often switch perspectives. AS long as you know you don't change viewpoint within the same paragraph, or mid sentence, you should be fine. I personally have no problem changing viewpoint mid-chapter. Many authors do it. Tamora Pierce, Anne McCaffrey, etc. That's when *#*#*#*#*# comes in handy. Good luck, keep writing!

Answer 7

i admire this question! a million) Characters concern: remarkable, Mary-Sue characters that are the uncomplicated hero/heroine with in line with danger a love interest and particular skill. Yawwwn! answer: you're able to desire to coach good varieties of character progression. Separate your character from the rest. in line with danger fairly of a vampire, your considerable character develop into basically 0.5-bitten and has an irrational concern of the darkish. 2) Plot concern: you have a uncomplicated thought of the place your novel is heading besides the shown fact that it somewhat is fairly like the map has a great drink spill throughout the time of it. answer: Map it out. in case you're like me, you hate drafts, enhancing, and problems with that form. especially circumstances merely sitting down and writing the uncomplicated define of your tale is powerful. Jane is a loser > She gets superpowers > She saves the city > Her suitable buddy proposes to her > suitable buddy is abducted > Jane saves the day (returned) 3) Writing concern: you have merely written a good paragraph...you think of? answer: persist with the order of operations. you could no longer have Billy gasp, open the door and notice the killer. He needs to open the door, see the killer and then gasp. it could be problematic writing like this and any incorrect way around could unquestionably look greater useful yet interior the long-term it builds a lot greater suspense. 4) author's Block concern: you have tried each and every thing; listening to music, taking a harm, ect. What now? answer: There are some to this: a million. connect a secure online writing team this is subsidized via a lot of examine and reliability or get somebody you realize to study your tale and supply enter. especially circumstances a sparkling set of eyes works wonders. It have been given me out of two months of author's block. 2. strengthen a writing schedule. Write interior the comparable place on the comparable time primary. After that factor quit. you will get used to this and it shows on your writing. good success! i'm hoping I helped this is all of my own tips and studies.

Answer 8

Narrative voice and Point of View are TWO DIFFERENT concepts.

POV is through whose eyes we are witnessing events. Narrative voice is the method in which we witness those events. POV can change. Narrative voice should not. Your narrative voice should remain consistent to avoid confusion with the reader. POV, however, can change (even mid-chapter) depending on what you are doing.

Here is an example of consistent narrative voice and two different POV:

"Susan tapped her foot as she waited for Gene to come out of the bathroom. She could hear the minute hand on the clock ticking away. She sighed and checked her own watch. They were going to be late, again. She was so embarassed. They were suppose to meet her parents AND his parents for dinner. They were probably already at the restaraunt waiting for them.

Gene examined himself in the mirror. He played with his hair a bit more, trying to force a few stray hairs to stay in place. He readjusted his collar for the fifth time. It felt tight. "Geesh, man, you're sweating already," he thought to himself. But everything needed to be perfect. He checked his pocket again, making sure the small velvet box was still there."

Same scene from two different points of view. The narrative voice remains the same, but we see things through two different sets of eyes.

Answer 9

i believe in noughts and crosses it does that. malorie blackman just titled the chapter with the person who was narrating's name.
unless you use different font or radically change the style of writing- for example really slangy going to very formal- to indicate a different person then you might as well just head the section with the narrator's name

Answer 10

When you change scenes. Each scene should only have one POV. When you change scenes, the reader will know if you moved to a different POV because it's almost always obvious. But if you change POV in mid-scene, then the reader will know and it won't work.