Omni What?

by

Lori Soard

Most romances are written in third person hero/heroine viewpoints. The exception to this is some historicals and longer novels that will pull in some of the secondary characters' viewpoints. Nevertheless, I want to quickly run down some different viewpoints so you can easily recognize them in your own writing.

True Omniscient or Pure Omniscient:

In past centuries, most writers used "pure" omniscient. When using this perspective, the writer steps into the story, almost god-like, halts the action and comments on the story.

Example: John pitched himself out of the moving car, rolling to safety. The silver Jaguar sailed over the cliff face, landing in a burning heap at the rocky bottom. Fool! You know not what lies ahead for you. Feel sorry for him, reader, for the horrors that lie in wait. Pray his moral code will withstand these trials.

The italiziced words are PURE omniscient.

Needless to say, most of these writers are not read today. This form of writing has slipped into obscurity. Styles have changed and modern writers should never go off in an aside to the reader. If you catch something like this in your own writing, delete it.

Modern writers will slip into pure omniscient like this:

John began the long walk back to town, unaware of what awaited him.

While that is not as intrusive as the first example, try to avoid it.

Modified Omniscient:

Used by many mainstream authors. In MODIFIED omniscient, you can get into the heads of many different characters. But you don't stop and sermonize or explain to the reader. One point: Try to stay within a single character's mind per scene. It is distracting to the reader if you head-hop.

Example:

John started the long trek back to town, his calves burning with the effort of each step.

Mandy saw John turn the bend in the road. He looked beaten. Weary. She slammed through the front door and flew to his side.

Jake continued to trim the hedges. The fools. They never noticed him. Would never even believe he was capable of evil.

Of course, in writing, these would not follow one on top of the other. They would be staggered scenes within the book. :))

First Person:

This viewpoint is not seen often but it does have an advantage. If you have a particularly compelling character--someone really unique and colorful--this POV can sometimes make the story.

Example: I sat on the hot, sun-baked rock, swinging my legs rapidly. Boy was Lyle gonna get it! Just as soon as I could find my way back to camp..

There are some drawbacks to this POV as well. First, it is hard to reveal the inner conflicts of characters other than the main person.

Also, it can be awkward to fully portray the hero without making him look egocentric. If you have him think about how broad and muscular his own chest is, he appears arrogant.

Third Person Limited or Multiple:

Showing the reader only what transpires around the hero/heroine. This is what most category romances use. The advantage to this viewpoint is how easy it is to make h/h sympathetic.

Example:

Jenna rubbed circles on her temples with her forefingers. Why didn't he just call? Her stomach performed a nervous flip as she stared at the plain black phone, willing it to ring.

More and more of the modern romances are using both hero's and heroine's viewpoint to fully portray the relationship and draw the reader in, making her feel the emotions of the characters.

Whatever viewpoint you use in your story. Be consistent. Try to stick to one character's POV per scene. Your readers will thank you for it.

Articles Writers Area 

Special Offers for Authors on book promotion and web design

Get 2 BOOKS + a mystery gift  from  eHarlequin.com

 

AUTHORS

The Romance Club Home Page