All forums > On Writing > Is head hopping ok?
page 4 of 4

Is head hopping ok?

schild

first registered 25.06.11

last online 20 hours ago

@Janny

My saga is about twelve modern-day Apostles as kids. I couldn't tell the story any other way than omniscient POV. My head-hopping is, at times, amateurish, but I'm a novice writer like most on Authonomy. If you've created many interesting characters, I think your readers want to know about what's going on in their minds. Unfortunately, the number of characters in my novel rose exponentially to where the only solution was breaking the manuscript up into a four book series. I received a great deal of help from fellow Authonomite Wiz Wharton( a wonderful writer) who suggested that I read Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. Reading this novel might be of some use to you, Janny.


Posted: 07/05/2012 19:24:10

report abuse

Lallie

first registered 25.08.10

last online 17 days ago

If you've made a conscious decision to do it and it is in the best interests of the story to execute it this way and you can deliver well in that form, it may well be fine.

If you did it because you don't know any better, it may well be a mess.


Posted: 07/05/2012 19:29:17

report abuse

Splinker

first registered 25.11.09

last online 31 days ago

Don't head hop within a scene. When you are rich and famous, do what you want. Until then, it can't hurt to follow a few rules.

Posted: 07/05/2012 19:30:25

report abuse

Lallie

first registered 25.08.10

last online 17 days ago

Good example: use it in a comic scene between two potential lovers to draw comedy out of misunderstandings eg he thinks one thing, she thinks another, and it amuses the reader that neither knows what the other is really thinking.

Or be Terry Pratchett.


Posted: 07/05/2012 19:32:46

report abuse

Trailer Bride

first registered 05.02.11

last online 9 hours ago

Story is king. Or queen.

I've heard it both ways.


Posted: 07/05/2012 19:35:14

report abuse

Splinker

first registered 25.11.09

last online 31 days ago

I bet you have.

Posted: 07/05/2012 19:37:12

report abuse

Trailer Bride

first registered 05.02.11

last online 9 hours ago

HEARD. Not HAD.

Posted: 07/05/2012 19:39:23

report abuse

Jannypeacock

first registered 30.03.11

last online 31 days ago

Don't head hop within a scene. When you are rich and famous, do what you want. Until then, it can't hurt to follow a few rules. close quotes

@Colin, I think we’re kind of making the same point just reaching for it from different angles. There are few people here who are ‘average’ readers. Most of us read as writers, it’s unavoidable because it’s who we are. Even the most inexperienced newbie will eventually learn enough about the craft to force them to read differently. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, I’m just guessing it’s not a true reflection of how the mass market reads.

Posted: 08/05/2012 14:54:52

report abuse

Jannypeacock

first registered 30.03.11

last online 31 days ago

HEARD. Not HAD. close quotes

Wink

Posted: 08/05/2012 14:55:08

report abuse

To leave comments on this message board please Register or Login

page 4 of 4