I swear, this POV stuff is going to drive me nuts. I don't know why I have such a problem with it but I do.
Anyway, I (think I) understand the theoretical difference between close-third and omniscent (though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).
In close-third, I stick with one person's viewpoint - I can only show what s/he sees, thinks, feels, etc. for as long as I'm in that character's POV.
In omniscent, the omniscent 'narrator' knows everything and can show any character's thoughts, actions, etc. at any time (and can also 'talk' directly to the reader).
What's confusing me is switching the POV (especially the 'showing thoughts' part) and the definition of 'head-hopping'.
Since I'm currently re-writing my WIP to be in close-third, let me start with that.
I am writing from the POVs of the two main characters ('A' and 'B'). This is acceptable provided I make a clear distinction when changing POVs (i.e. new chapter or at least a scene break). And when I'm in 'A's POV, I can't show the thoughts of 'B', nor can I describe the actions of 'B' unless witnessed by 'A' (or someone else tells 'A' about it).
And if 'A' is telling 'B' about something that happened in the past (a flashback), the whole flashback has to stay in 'A's POV.
If I switch POV's within a scene, is that 'head-hopping'? (I'm still talking about close-third.)
Now switch to omniscent. Omniscent can show the thoughts of any character. So how does that differ from the alternating close-third POVs I'm doing? In omniscent, can you show different POV's thoughts within a scene/chapter (without providing a clearly defined break)?
I realize that omniscent provides for a 'narrator' who can 'talk' to the reader but - other than that - what is the clear distinction between omniscent and shifting close-thirds?
Sorry for such a long post but I know I must be missing something very important about this whole topic.
Anyway, I (think I) understand the theoretical difference between close-third and omniscent (though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).
In close-third, I stick with one person's viewpoint - I can only show what s/he sees, thinks, feels, etc. for as long as I'm in that character's POV.
In omniscent, the omniscent 'narrator' knows everything and can show any character's thoughts, actions, etc. at any time (and can also 'talk' directly to the reader).
What's confusing me is switching the POV (especially the 'showing thoughts' part) and the definition of 'head-hopping'.
Since I'm currently re-writing my WIP to be in close-third, let me start with that.
I am writing from the POVs of the two main characters ('A' and 'B'). This is acceptable provided I make a clear distinction when changing POVs (i.e. new chapter or at least a scene break). And when I'm in 'A's POV, I can't show the thoughts of 'B', nor can I describe the actions of 'B' unless witnessed by 'A' (or someone else tells 'A' about it).
And if 'A' is telling 'B' about something that happened in the past (a flashback), the whole flashback has to stay in 'A's POV.
If I switch POV's within a scene, is that 'head-hopping'? (I'm still talking about close-third.)
Now switch to omniscent. Omniscent can show the thoughts of any character. So how does that differ from the alternating close-third POVs I'm doing? In omniscent, can you show different POV's thoughts within a scene/chapter (without providing a clearly defined break)?
I realize that omniscent provides for a 'narrator' who can 'talk' to the reader but - other than that - what is the clear distinction between omniscent and shifting close-thirds?
Sorry for such a long post but I know I must be missing something very important about this whole topic.