Show Me Your Novel and I'll Show You Mine

Do tell us what you're writing about - i.e. your current work in progress. If you have a finished book and a cover to share, please do that on the "Our Published Novels" thread, even if it isn't a novel! (Please, no jpegs here.)

Thanks!

Tags: novel

15 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melanie Conklin on June 6, 2012 at 4:17pm

I can't really think of many books, even classics, that actually switch POV between major characters. Sound&the Fury does, but even then I think it's only two POV's. DaVinci Code switches between robert langdon's and the albino's, but only in separate chapters.

You can easily write third person perspective, even omniscient, but make sure you only "jump heads" at the start of a chapter or scene break, or else it can become too much work for your reader--even if it's awesomely written. I personally prefer third person rather than first if you're writing multiple MC's--it allows the authors voice to shine through and tie it all together.

Also, is will depend on the exact genre and market this book appeals to--YA readers actually in their teens are characteristically less eager to work for their read. I'm not saying that to put them down, just noting a fact of the target market.

Permalink Reply by Melanie Conklin on June 6, 2012 at 4:18pm

Also, we should make this a topic on it's own thread! It's a great discussion :)

Permalink Reply by Patricia IluvMr Edwards on June 8, 2012 at 7:13am

I completely agree! I'm shocked at the number of people who have involved themselves in the conversation. THIS IS SO EXCITING! I have never been able to discuss books and writing with other people with such depth. I LOVE it

Permalink Reply by Catrina Barton on June 6, 2012 at 4:22pm

Actually I'm going to jump in here. I beg to differ pretty much every romance has two main characters and therefore every other chapter switches POV from the female MC to the male MC. It's pretty standard procedure in romances and they usually are written in 3rd person, no matter the sub genre.

I have a friend who writes 4 main characters in her stories.

Permalink Reply by Melanie Conklin on June 6, 2012 at 4:25pm

I agree. I think two character POVs are quite common. I was trying to think of examples that had more than that but could not.

Permalink Reply by Angela Lam (Turpin) on June 6, 2012 at 7:46pm

Blood Land by Alan Glynn is told from several main characters in the third person. It is an ambitious political-crime-thriller with several storylines that intersect at various points before coming together in the end.

I admire anyone willing to stretch themselves as a writer. After all, new genres and new techniques cannot be discovered if one is afraid to fail.

Permalink Reply by Patricia IluvMr Edwards on June 8, 2012 at 7:10am

But would we want to really want to limit ourselves as writers to what has already been done? A classic is not nearly just the style of writing but the story itself. I personally have read many books at the young age that I am at (don't ask me how I got my hands on them lol -in highschool they called me the book theif!-) and I know that taking chances with writing can never hinder an author. It can only teach you more.

And if you think about it the market you seem to be focused on are the kinds who read simply because they have to or stick to small novels and magazines. Classics are not even in their range of interest. Even considering books like Twilight and Harry Potter--these books are HUGE! Real book readers will look past it read the book 5 and 6 times while others will look at it shake their heads while walking away.

All genre have different types of readers. It's never okay to throw out an overall label.

Permalink Reply by Patricia IluvMr Edwards on June 5, 2012 at 7:02am

It sounds interesting. I could use a little more information about it though. I am not one to talk (I can't tell people what a book is about without telling them the book LOL) this is a lot better than what I could do. It slightly reminds me of the story I am currently writing. (Just a little because of the seemingly happy but having problems thing)

I can't exactly tell you of anything I think needs to be changed because I think it's okay so far. How much have you written out? I am reading the ones you have posted now and will leave you comments as I go.

Permalink Reply by Syeda Tasmia Tahia on June 6, 2012 at 1:00pm

Thanks for all your lovely comments on the posts...They were very informative and useful. Just a question, is the 3rd chapter so boring/bad, that no one actually had any comments on it? I understand most people do not have an in-depth understanding of cricket, so I tried to describe it as vividly as possible. To be honest, as I wanted them to be actively working and earning, I thought glamour and sports were the fields where it is easy to find young people working, and due to my own limited knowledge of other sports, I chose cricket (as a small-scale commentator for the sport, I do have an understanding of its techniques).

If you don't mind, would you prefer Ishan or Ron as a character? In terms of empathy and sympathy, who would the audience be closer to? Thanks for your support so far!

Keep writing!

Permalink Reply by Patricia IluvMr Edwards on June 6, 2012 at 2:58pm

Syeda,

Before you freak out: CALM DOWN! LOL

I probable would have commented on your third chapter just as I did one and two. I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Try not to let silence get your mind into high gear over things that you panicked about as you wrote because nine times out of ten that's not even the reason why. Your mind is so stuck on worrying about if people will have an interest in the sport that you immediately jumped to that conclusion. It happens to all great writers.

Permalink Reply by Syeda Tasmia Tahia on June 12, 2012 at 3:42pm

Hi Friends,

The 4th Chapter of 'Silent Voices' is ready to be read. http://www.shewrites.com/profiles/blogs/silent-voices-the-wounded-w... please do provide me with feedback, and any constructive criticism is very welcome. I would love to know what feel one feels towards the character, and also if possible, how he connects and compares with the other characters. Now that all four of them are introduced, I would love to hear what comparisons, compassions and connections with between themselves and with the reader. Thanks for your help in advance!

Permalink Reply by Karen Banes on June 4, 2012 at 11:51am

Just thought I'd stop by and introduce myself. I'm working on a YA speculative fiction novel and keep getting stuck. But I've just had an encouraging critique of the first two chapters so determined to push on. Really interested to meet other authors, especially YA. Looking forward to learning lots from the more experienced members of this group.