Perspective: skipping heads in a series?

FalconStorm · Mar 12, 2010

Mostly, I'm looking for opinions. I've seen writers 'switch heads' when writing in first person in a single book, very jarring. I've seen writers switch from first to third person, which, when handled well isn't so bad and shows me more of the story.

My question is, what about skipping heads or perspective in a series? I have a series planned that I was writing in 1st person, but I realized that by the 3rd book, it's not really the MC's story anymore so I'd probably at least need to switch heads to be able to tell the story, if not switch perspective entirely to put an omniscent slant in there. Any ideas on whether this is feasible or should I just put the effort into rewriting the whole thing in 3rd person? (I don't want to pull an Anne Rice like she did in Interview with the Vampire. I thought that was interesting, but annoying.)

I also ask this, because I find writing in 1st person more enjoyable. It feels like the story flows better, to me.

TheIT · Mar 12, 2010

There's a distinct difference between "switching heads" (head-hopping) and choosing a different point of view character. Head-hopping refers to places in 3rd limited or 1st person when the narrative incorrectly shifts to a different POV and relating things the POV character has no access to.

Changing POV characters is a normal practice. It can occur at scene or chapter breaks, and certainly in different books of a series. Choose the POV character who has most to lose. What character is best suited to tell this particular piece of the story?

I suggest taking a look at the FAQ threads stickied to the top of the Basic Writing Questions and Grammar and Syntax subforums and brush up on the perspective definitions.

Shadow_Ferret · Mar 12, 2010

Kelley Armstrong has a series about The Women of the Otherworld, which are in first person. The first two books are about Elena, a werewolf, the next two books are about Paige, a witch, the fifth book is about Eve, a ghost... and so on.

FalconStorm · Mar 12, 2010

Shadow_Ferret said:
Kelley Armstrong has a series about The Women of the Otherworld, which are in first person. The first two books are about Elena, a werewolf, the next two books are about Paige, a witch, the fifth book is about Eve, a ghost... and so on.

Were they written in first person? That's my biggest concern is the first person thing...

TheIT · Mar 12, 2010

FalconStorm said:
Were they written in first person? That's my biggest concern is the first person thing...

Yes, all the Kelley Armstrong "Women of the Otherworld" books are 1st person. Each of the POV characters were introduced as secondary characters in previous books. Each book only has one POV character.

ETA: Good series, btw. I really enjoyed her take on werewolves.

FalconStorm · Mar 12, 2010

Thank you. That helps a lot. I'd never seen it done, myself, and was worried that it might be something publishers shy away from.

Lydia Sharp · Mar 12, 2010

FalconStorm said:
My question is, what about skipping heads or perspective in a series?

I think that would be a good way to keep it interesting, and it would give an epic feel to your story world.

Lydia Sharp · Mar 12, 2010

TheIT said:
Yes, all the Kelley Armstrong "Women of the Otherworld" books are 1st person. Each of the POV characters were introduced as secondary characters in previous books. Each book only has one POV character.

ETA: Good series, btw. I really enjoyed her take on werewolves.

Adding this to my reading list.

Phyllo · Mar 12, 2010

Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet is a classic. The first and second novels, Justine and Balthazar, are first person. The third novel, Mountolive, is in third person, and the final installment, Clea, switches back to first (if I remember correctly). Each story adds a new level of understanding on common events that occur in each novel.

Different genre, for sure, but brilliant writing. And the shifting perspective works because it adds layers to the story as it goes along, making it richer.

Margarita Skies · Mar 13, 2010

I always use third person.

shaldna · Mar 13, 2010

I skip heads quite a bit, but I only wrte third person when I do it.

Perspective: skipping heads in a series?

FalconStorm

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TheIT

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Shadow_Ferret

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FalconStorm

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TheIT

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Lydia Sharp

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shaldna

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