Beauty Tips from around the Globe

The Beginning Writer: Basic 101

Have you ever heard the saying “The pen is mightier than the sword”, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Then you are already aware of how powerful writing can be. Let’s just say with words you can flay an enemy over and over again. Now to become a powerful writer one of the first basic elements is point of view (POV). If you do not have consistent POV and jump around from first person to third person, then you could confuse your readers. Let’s take a look at the difference between each POV:

1^st person:  this POV transports the reader into the mind of the character. Now the reader will be able to know the thoughts and have a more intimate feel for the character; just as if it were the readers own thoughts, like in Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

2^nd person:  This POV is not really used. You will often see second person used in guide books, self-help books, do it yourself manuals, interactive fiction, games books such as choose your own adventures series and also blogs.  

3^rd person limited: POV of third person limited gives the writer more freedom then first person but less than third person omniscient. The best example is in Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. We are able to know Harry’s thoughts and reactions throughout the entire story, however Ron’s and Hermione’s thoughts will only be known through their actions.

3^rd person Omniscient: Lastly is third person omniscient or all knowing. The author is able to jump around to different characters. The story is not bound by one character. However writing from this POV can be limiting to some writers. The best example of an author using third person omniscient is J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

Some great links to study up on POV are:

www.The-writers-craft.com 

www.cherylreif.com

www.fictionwriting.about.com  

 

There are a plethora of other sites you can search out; also visit YouTube, I found a terrific site by zebra fox that gives great information on POV as well as fiction writing. I hope this information was helpful to you. If you have any questions please submit it to me and I will try to get back to as soon as I can. I do read all my messages and will respond.