Writers: Which point-of-view is the most versatile?

Plus, build your author platform -- and stay sane in the process. [Web Version "]( &p1=%40xVWbEqN%2FZiKq2KIOpgmGZ%2FnPz1Hk%2BTv0GZNywq16CI8%3D) [header]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Writer's Digest]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Writer's Market]( ) [WD University]( ) [2nd Draft Critiques]( ) [Jess Zafarris]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) This week's edition of the Writer's Digest newsletter brings you a wealth of craft tips, solutions for today's writer, and insights about the writing life from successful long-time and debut authors. Plus, discover some exciting news about our annual conference. – Jess Zafarris Follow [@jesszafarris]( ) CRAFT AND TECHNIQUE Third-Person Limited: Analyzing Fiction's Most Flexible Point of View Third-person limited POV is a remarkably flexible and powerful approach to narration. As needed, you can move in close and pull away from your POV character. In the process, conflicts and characters and setting -- almost everything -- become clearer and more vivid. When a short story or novel is written from one character’s POV, readers build rapport with that character. We see the world through their eyes, feeling their grief, joy or even cynicism. In that respect, yes, third-person limited is much like first-person POV, but with the crucial distinction that readers aren’t completely trapped within that character’s perspective. The ability to convey a character’s thoughts -- and then back away when you’d like to mute their thoughts -- is a critical difference from first person. The narrator can sit on the protagonist’s shoulder for some parts of the story, then back away for other parts. Early in a book, employing a very close stance can help readers understand the character’s inner workings. As the book progresses, readers will come to know them so well they can probably predict their thoughts, and thus that close proximity isn’t as necessary. When the plot is moving quickly, or to compress time, it makes sense to assume a more distant perspective, much like the cinematic POV. Moments of high drama and physical violence (also sports and sex, for that matter) are typically best served at a more removed viewpoint -- helping readers understand unfolding events. This perspective gives you, as an author, flexibility. In The Punishment She Deserves, Elizabeth George uses a close TPL perspective to evoke the turmoil of a young woman’s acute psychological crisis. Later in the book, George uses a distant POV during the climactic chase scene, as the detectives pursue their main suspect. Limitation can increase suspense. If you can’t see outside of a character’s perspective, then the reader doesn’t know what’s around the corner or whether the character can trust other people. And if the POV character trusts someone that the reader worries might be dishonest, that can be an excellent tension-builder. [Read More...]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Name]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) WHAT'S NEW [Story 2]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [How to Build Your Online Audience and Stay Sane]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) Author and online platform ace E.J. Wenstrom shares a few steps you can take while you're building your online author platform that can save your sanity. [Read More...]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Story 2]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Self-Publishing Audiobooks: Why Should You Consider It?]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) As WD author Jessica Kaye shares in the opening paragraphs of her book [The Guide to Publishing Audiobooks]( ), audiobooks are reaching more people than ever. Here are her thoughts about why you might consider self-publishing your own audiobook. [Read More...]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Story 3]( ) [SCRIPT SECRETS: The Importance of Clear Objectives]( ) [New from ScriptMag.com]( ) Using the movie Downsizing as an example... of what not to do... William C. Martell discusses the importance of a protagonist having clear objectives. [Read More...]( ) [Story 4]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Writer's Digest Weekly Writing Prompt]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Character Name Generator]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) Follow the instructions to search for name meanings on Behind the Name. Select one of the names, and use its meaning to write a story or scene about a character with that name. [Find the instructions and post your response (500 words or fewer) here...]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Story 5]( ) [Upcoming Online Course]( ) [5th Annual Mystery and Thriller Virtual Conference]( ) In the workshop, you will be able to finish either a decently developed half draft (of half of your novel) or a rough "in-progress" full draft. However, you'll learn all the tools needed to complete the full first draft. At the end of this workshop, you will have accomplished every writer's goal – an "in-progress" working first draft. [Learn more and register...]( ) &p1={EMAIL}&p2=208014378 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=208014378 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=208014378 AUTHOR INSIGHTS [Story 6]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [A Sense of Discovery: Chocolat Author Joanne Harris on Routine, Inspiration and What's Next]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) Author Joanne Harris discusses her writing routine, her journey to becoming a full-time author, as well as her upcoming book The Strawberry Thief, which is set in the same universe as her 2000 hit novel Chocolat. [Read More...]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Story 7]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Breaking In: Debut Author Jacob Tobia on the Memoir Process and More]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) In our Breaking In column in [Writer’s Digest magazine]( ), we talk with debut authors -- such as Jacob Tobia, author of the memoir Sissy -- about how they did it, what they learned and why you can do it, too. In this unabridged interview, Tobia discusses making the leap from writing personal essays and op-eds to a full memoir as well as the importance of building a platform to promote your work. [Read More...]( &cid=DM106001&bid=1052202914) [Story 5]( ) [Keynote Announcement: Min Jin Lee to Deliver Closing Keynote at WDC19!]( ) We are excited to announce award-winning novelist and New York Times Bestseller Min Jin Lee as our closing keynote for the [Writer’s Digest Annual Conference]( ), returning to New York City from August 23-25, 2019. [Read More...]( ) [Sell Books on a Shoestring Budget]( ) &p1={EMAIL}&p2=208014378 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=208014378 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=208014378 Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please [click here to contact us]( ). 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