POV dilemna

Coco82 · Jan 12, 2013

For me, right now is a POV issue. I have 5 POVs, each is needed to describe one element of the "world" (reason for quotes it's in a future US). I'm having an issue where one person in one of the factions, not the POV character will be captured at some point and I'm not sure how I'll show her ordeal. I had thought originally of adding another POV, but really don't want to do that if I can avoid it. My only idea is to insert off & on one of my 5 to give the reader eyes there.
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alleycat · Jan 12, 2013

I'm assuming it wouldn't work to just have her tell of her ordeal at a somewhat later point in time.

quicklime · Jan 12, 2013

You can have as many as you like....The Stand must have had close to a dozen, thinking back, but always do things for the right reason--this isn't my book, but do you really need 5 people to show 5 facets of your world? If that's the primary reason for them, I'd be a bit leery.

ymmv

kkbe · Jan 12, 2013

Coco82 said:
For me, right now is a POV issue. I have 5 POVs, each is needed to describe one element of the "world" (reason for quotes it's in a future US). I'm having an issue where one person in one of the factions, not the POV character will be captured at some point and I'm not sure how I'll show her ordeal. I had thought originally of adding another POV, but really don't want to do that if I can avoid it. My only idea is to insert off & on one of my 5 to give the reader eyes there.

Hi, Coco. So your story is told in five parts, via five different main characters? And in one of the parts, a minor character is captured and suffers the rigors of whatever that entails. You're wondering how best to tell her story, but not from her POV?

I don't know your story so anything I tell you is pretty much conjecture. Anything that happens in your novel can be told by anyone you want. So, in this scene, dependant on what the scene is, you would have one of your mcs present and that person is witness to the unfortunate victim's ordeal. Or, your mc is perpetuating the unpleasantness. Or, your mc is recounting what he/she saw after the fact, to someone else. Or, you can switch the story around, nix the secondary character and slip your mc in his/her place. Up to you, lots of options, I think.

dawinsor · Jan 12, 2013

Can some technology or magic convey the scenes to your pov character? Rowling is actually quite good at this, inventing things like extendable ears.

rwm4768 · Jan 12, 2013

I don't see where you'd have a problem with adding a POV character. You don't have to stick religiously to those five. As long as you clearly establish point of view, it shouldn't bother the reader.

Coco82 · Jan 12, 2013

quicklime said:
You can have as many as you like....The Stand must have had close to a dozen, thinking back, but always do things for the right reason--this isn't my book, but do you really need 5 people to show 5 facets of your world? If that's the primary reason for them, I'd be a bit leery.

ymmv

I understand your point. Let me break down a very brief summary of the plot and each POV:

It's a future US where the POTUS has become a dictator and is fighting a multi-faceted insurgency. The insurgents are the protags and each POV show a different faction.

1. A leader of the gov't in exile that is nominally in charge & working towards a retun.
2. A sergeant in a regular military unit which will engage in various battles in the book.
3. An undercover agent of the govt' in exile in the White House who's become the POTUS's bodyguard. This gives me eyes on my antags and their happenungs
4. A guerilla leader in the Midwest, his group has ties to a faction that is a somewhat rival of the 1st POV.
5. A Special Forces leader in a different region who's developed a plan to collect various guerillas in the East coast to then march on th capitol

The 6th would be another undercover person who is a commander of a unit the POTUS's son has been given command of and has a contentious relationship w/him. There's more to it & all of them than I can say, but this is a run down of their roles.

Putputt · Jan 13, 2013

Can you have one of the POV characters be captured instead of a minor character? More hard-hitting that way.

Spell-it-out · Jan 13, 2013

Or have a POV charcter captured with the minor character, but escapes. That way, he/she can tell the whole experience without having to die

POV dilemna

Coco82

alleycat

Still around

quicklime

all out of fucks to give

kkbe

Huh.

dawinsor

Dorothy A. Winsor

rwm4768

practical experience, FTW

Coco82

Putputt

permanently suctioned to Buz's leg

Spell-it-out

I'm gonna give all my secrets away