Writing Excuses Transcripts

Writing Excuses Season Four Episode 13: Juggling Multiple Viewpoints

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2010/04/04/writing-excuses-4-13-juggling-multiple-viewpoints/

Key Points: Juggling multiple viewpoints and multiple storylines. Broadens scope, let's different characters describe each other or an event, broadens interest, let's you show a range of reactions. But it can stop momentum when you switch viewpoints. You also need to be careful to give characters enough attention so that readers don't lose track. When you switch characters, set the scene and make sure the reader knows who the new viewpoint character is and what they are doing. When you use cliffhangers, plan to get back to that character quickly. Make sure that readers know the multiple threads are part of one story -- start together then split, start separated and then gather, or whatever, but make them one story.
( warp and woof )
[Howard] I've got a writing prompt. I gotta writing prompt. OK. We talked about the tree in Sum of All Fears. I'm sure you've seen... there's the Christian metaphor of the trees that get built into things. I want a multiple viewpoint storyline, with a tree that is the focal point for multiple viewpoints that pass the tree.
[Brandon] OK.
[Dan] Wow. OK. Christian symbolism optional.
[Howard] Yeah, optional. It's a tree for crying out loud.
[Brandon] You might have some excuses in that case. But either way, go write. This is been Writing Excuses. Thanks for listening.