Multiple Characters - Writers Forum

PAGEMASTER · 10-06-2006, 12:09 PM

One of my stories features several main characters, but I'm worried about confusing my readers (imagining I actually have some

) by how I blend the storylines of each character together.

What do you guys and girlies reckon...Would it be confusing if I say for instance wrote a part of Mr A's storyline, then a part of Mr B's, then Mrs C's and so on before returning to Mr A's again? Or would it appear better if I wrote the full storyline of Mr A's and then move onto Mr B's?

I'm favouriting the first example but wanna know others opinions on the subject.

Also some of the character's paths don't even cross with one anothers so they practically have their own mini storyline!

Fantasy of You · 10-06-2006, 12:25 PM

Well, the danger is, people will like one a lot more than the other's and maybe skip the other chars.

Foxee · 10-06-2006, 12:28 PM

I vote for option A and would like to buy a vowel. Seriously, I hope their storylines are going to converge at the end... otherwise, why are you writing all their stories in one book? Unless it is a collection of short stories then go with Option B, do not pass go, and mail me a check for $200.

PAGEMASTER · 10-06-2006, 12:34 PM

Well they do kinda have to face the same situation, you may be wondering what that is but I'm not going to tell, you'll have to buy the book

yeah I know it prob wont get published or even finished, but I can still dream

*checks wallet* uh I'll have to pop to the bank first Foxee

Hakeem · 10-06-2006, 01:40 PM

I say it would be good if the storylines don't get heavily intertwined and confusing to read through.

Option A.

PAGEMASTER · 10-06-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakeem

I say it would be good if the storylines don't get heavily intertwined and confusing to read through.

Option A.

Well I plan to give the characters all complete different names so for instance one character wont sound like Phil and another Pete which would be increasingly confusing as well as off putting to readers. They all face the same major problem but at the same time they all have minor problems of their own to attend too. Some characters will run into others, some will get on and aid each other, others completely despise one another. The possible storylines are endless which requires a lot of my attention especially with a variety of characters who could cross paths at certain times, but I'll make sure that when they do it'll be at times of crisis when they need one another's aid.

CroZ · 10-06-2006, 03:42 PM

Exactly what do you mean here?
Do you mean different characters call them by different names?

PAGEMASTER · 10-06-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroZ

Exactly what do you mean here?
Do you mean different characters call them by different names?

I mean in order of my characters not being confusing the first letter of their name will be different from each others say for instance they'll be named: James, Daniel, Ellen, instead of James, John and Jesse.

Omnisu · 10-06-2006, 07:13 PM

All sorts of books out there follow multiple view-point characters. It's not confusing to the modern reader at all.

MASK · 10-07-2006, 01:39 AM

One of the most important things to remember when writing from multiple viewpoints is that you must maintain clarity for the reader. There are several ways to do this.

First, unless your going to write in complete 3rd person omnicient (where as the narrator you dart in and out of everyone's thoughts, usually in the same scene), you'll want to limit the number of viewpoints. I would suggest you avoid the 3rd person omnicient for a couple reasons. One, it adds some distance between your reader and characters, and is used for more plot driven stories than character driven ones. And Two, it can be difficult to pull off well. That's not to say you can't do it, but if you're going to commit to it, you're gonna have to do it just right.

Now, typically for recurring viewpoints, I'd suggest 2 or 3. You may occasionally have throw-away viewpoints (characters that only have their viewpoint told once), but for your first time, I'd suggest avoiding that. Now, when picking the viewpoint characters, you need to decide who's the most important one. Who's going to be affected the most by the events of the book, and/or who's best prepared to relate the events to the reader. The other viewpoints are going to be your secondary characters, which are the next most important, and the third most imporant. That's also where your subplots come in.

So when you've decided who's story this really is (the main character), this is the person you want to establish first--someone the reader can latch on to. (there are times when you can bend or break this rule; Dean Koontz did it to great success in his book Midnight, where the character that's introduced (and he would have you believe to be the main character) is killed at the end of the scene.) Once you've firmly established this character as the main one, you'll be free to switch viewpoints without confusing the reader.

Also, when switching viewpoints, I'd suggest doing so at chapter breaks, or at least after a page break (marked usually with a * * * or some other similar symbol, signaling to the reader that you're changing scenes and possibly viewpoints)

Write a chapter as one character, and switch viewpoints for the next chapter. When doing this, I'd suggest ending with a cliffhanger. Keeps the reader wondering what happens next. Your reader will get involved in the story, and then when they reach the cliffhanger, you switch viewpoints for the next chapter (usually following a subplot that may not be immediately linked to the main plot, though as Foxee said, they need to come together and be resolved logically by the end of the book). By switching viewpoints, the reader then (itching to know what happens after that cliffhanger) will get involved in the new viewpoint and subplot. And being the sadistic author that you are, you're going to leave them with a cliffhanger for that viewpoint. You can then switch back to the original viewpoint (or your third one), and pick up where you left off.

The reader, though wanting to know what happens after the most recent cliffhanger, will remember the original one and will be excited to get some resolution on it. But guess what? Yup. Even though you resolve (to a degree) the original cliffhanger, new events will set up another one. And the viewpoint will switch.

This is an effective way of getting a reader to keep from putting the book down. He/she needs to know what happens next. Hope this helps.

PAGEMASTER · 10-07-2006, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MASK

Write a chapter as one character, and switch viewpoints for the next chapter. When doing this, I'd suggest ending with a cliffhanger. Keeps the reader wondering what happens next. Your reader will get involved in the story, and then when they reach the cliffhanger, you switch viewpoints for the next chapter (usually following a subplot that may not be immediately linked to the main plot, though as Foxee said, they need to come together and be resolved logically by the end of the book). By switching viewpoints, the reader then (itching to know what happens after that cliffhanger) will get involved in the new viewpoint and subplot. And being the sadistic author that you are, you're going to leave them with a cliffhanger for that viewpoint. You can then switch back to the original viewpoint (or your third one), and pick up where you left off.

I had plans on writing it this way, chapter one would be one character, something happens at the end of chapter one but doesnt get explained until a few chapters later, a new chapter will be a new character with new problems to face etc...

I understand fully on what you're saying and I thank you for your help and advices

MASK · 10-07-2006, 04:41 PM

That's perfect then. The subplots don't have to tie in directly right away. I look forward to reading your work when it's further along.

Anarkos · 10-07-2006, 05:42 PM

Read Iain Banks' Walking on Glass.

PAGEMASTER · 10-08-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MASK

That's perfect then. The subplots don't have to tie in directly right away. I look forward to reading your work when it's further along.

Thank you, same goes for your work in which I have to say I'm enjoying very much, I still have yet to read 'Tales of the nameless (part 2)', I'm gonna read it the second I post here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarkos

Read Iain Banks' Walking on Glass.

I haven't heard of Iain Bank's but if you think his novel will help then I'll look around for it, thank you.

Pluie · 10-26-2006, 12:17 PM

I would definitelt choose the first option