Would really like to read your thoughts about multiple view points (say two or three), but they aren’t dispersed in equal amount of pages? Meaning, there is a main arc. And then another section is much smaller —do you think there needs to be equal amount of chapters?
Hello. Good question. The short answer would be no. But I think there would need to be some justification, because otherwise it's a little like finding a letter which conveniently gives a character's thoughts at a crucial moment. At least a letter could be plotted in. Perhaps we know the character has written it, and then there is some delay in tracking it down. With a change in POV, that can happen at any moment, at the writer's convenience. What that says to the reader is, 'I could have let you in to this earlier.' The reader may not mind, but it's usually best if they know they are getting to learn things as early as possible. Not sure if this answers. Hope it does.
Have you by any chance read 'Trust' by Hernan Diaz? Interesting in several respects, including the issue of POV as well as the author's ignoring the creative writing 'rule' that writers must show not tell.
I haven't. That sounds very interesting. Perhaps we should compile a list of Tell Not Show novels? I would start with Aharon Appelfeld's Badenheim 1939.
Would really like to read your thoughts about multiple view points (say two or three), but they aren’t dispersed in equal amount of pages? Meaning, there is a main arc. And then another section is much smaller —do you think there needs to be equal amount of chapters?
Hello. Good question. The short answer would be no. But I think there would need to be some justification, because otherwise it's a little like finding a letter which conveniently gives a character's thoughts at a crucial moment. At least a letter could be plotted in. Perhaps we know the character has written it, and then there is some delay in tracking it down. With a change in POV, that can happen at any moment, at the writer's convenience. What that says to the reader is, 'I could have let you in to this earlier.' The reader may not mind, but it's usually best if they know they are getting to learn things as early as possible. Not sure if this answers. Hope it does.
Have you by any chance read 'Trust' by Hernan Diaz? Interesting in several respects, including the issue of POV as well as the author's ignoring the creative writing 'rule' that writers must show not tell.
I haven't. That sounds very interesting. Perhaps we should compile a list of Tell Not Show novels? I would start with Aharon Appelfeld's Badenheim 1939.