Two character views in a chapter.

You can change the POV, characters and scenes as you wish.

I would say make sure it's overly apparent that you are changing characters to the reader and to try not placing them in the scene at the same time.

Why would word count matter to chapters? There is no goal or standard for chapter length.

cara said:

Hi all.
I was wondering if you have two character views in one chapter, if you would divide their two storyline parts with a # between the paragraphs or if they would just carry on, or if a new chapter should be started (even if the word count isn't right)?
I've written a small killing scene and then cut to the detective, but want it to be in the same chapter if possible.

Click to expand...

See that pirate book in my sig? Every chapter, two POVs, separated by a double return. (whether that or # is house style soo...)

So, I'd say no problem. Obviously it'll depend on the book, context etc, but I can't see any burning reason you can't.

IdiotsRUs said:

See that pirate book in my sig? Every chapter, two POVs, separated by a double return. (whether that or # is house style soo...)

So, I'd say no problem. Obviously it'll depend on the book, context etc, but I can't see any burning reason you can't.

Click to expand...

BotByte said:

You can change the POV, characters and scenes as you wish.

I would say make sure it's overly apparent that you are changing characters to the reader and to try not placing them in the scene at the same time.

Why would word count matter to chapters? There is no goal or standard for chapter length.

Click to expand...

Wisdom from the wise up there.

cara said:

I was wondering if you have two character views in one chapter, if you would divide their two storyline parts with a # between the paragraphs or if they would just carry on, or if a new chapter should be started (even if the word count isn't right)?

Click to expand...

Yeah sure, no problem, common technique. A centered # is a standard scene break indicator, which a publisher will change to blank lines and/or centered asterisks, etc. when printing, so I'd use this. Use as many scenes as you like in a chapter.

-Derek

Go for it. It does work. Assuming you do it right and are careful about making sure that it is obvious whose PoV you are in at any one time. An easy way to do that is to have the character's name in the first sentence somewhere but that can be somewhat clumsy if overused so find other methods too - context etc.

One question you need to ask yourself is: Is it absolutely essential I get this persons PoV in there? What do they bring to the situation that the other character doesn't? Two people watching the same fight with more or less the same thoughts about it is not a good time to be switching. Two people in different parts of the same battlefield or two characters with radically different opinions or motives then you might consider it worthwhile. But do think about it carefully before you do it. A simple 'if I cut this scene out, would it make a difference?' question.

cara said:

Hi all.
I was wondering if you have two character views in one chapter, if you would divide their two storyline parts with a # between the paragraphs or if they would just carry on, or if a new chapter should be started (even if the word count isn't right)?
I've written a small killing scene and then cut to the detective, but want it to be in the same chapter if possible.

Click to expand...

Sure, why not?

cara said:

Hi all.
I was wondering if you have two character views in one chapter, if you would divide their two storyline parts with a # between the paragraphs or if they would just carry on, or if a new chapter should be started ...

Click to expand...

Of course, any of these choices can be made to work. I doubt you need a new chapter.

My advice is just to keep in mind why you are doing this:

1. You might want the transition between views to be unclear. I've seen this done well in a paranormal setting where the POV switch is not immediately obvious to the reader.
2. OTOH, typically, you want the transition to be clear. The standard # separator or an extra blank line should be sufficient - just treat it as another scene change within your chapter.

Either way, make sure it is clear in your own head what you are doing.