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Ever tried blending a first person voice with a omniscient narrator?
I'm writing an essay on first and third person in Dubliners, and my tutor said it can be used to escaped that 'locked' effect of first person. I've been having this problem with my book and it was something I would never have considered.
Thoughts?
Comments
Good to be getting some value out of my tuition fees!
When I was studying English (I'm going back ver 20 years ago) I was taught by a strict English master who was also an examiner. What he taught then was virtually set in stone, and the subject itself became rather rigid, but you dared not deviate from the accepted norm otherwise you would be in deep do-do. So things stick in your mind, the idiosyncrasies of your teachers remain with you, and I took these rigid rules into my adulthood. But then I realised when I started writing that you don't neccessarily have to follow the rules. You have to experiment. That's the whole point of the word novel, so writers should find new ways of writing. At least your tutor is flexible, Stirling, by getting you to do this. It's a good writing excercise.
It worked well, but it can be hard work.
Ive wrestled with this in my writing. I like to use the first person interspersed with third person narrative. The book Im writing is character driven by the first person diary entries of the main character. These are complemented by third person narratives each carrying the strong voice of the POV character. I would find an omniscient narrator too far removed even when blended with a first person voice. I think it would water down character development in the third person narrative.
On the other hand, there is a danger. In her professional critique of my book on YWO, Melissa Weatherall stressed the importance of how the first person narration is central to the story hanging together and how you have to be careful that the story doesnt become episodic by having too many POVs. (Im pleased to say she thought I would be OK!)
I hope this helps and that youre enjoying your university course.
Howard
Thanks for the kind comment Tracy.
Caro, this is the link if you want to have a look:
http://www.youwriteon.com/books/bookdetail.aspx?bookguid=1b3b82c1-2722-4e2c-bac6-b8897c5fd702