Okay, so I started a new novel. It's about a kid who was traumatized by an event in his life. So, I started writing it in first person because I felt I had to get this kids thoughts out. But, I also want to show what his mother thinks about his behavior. Do I have to write about the mom in first person since the rest is? Or can I write about the mom in third? I think that would be easier because I can show how the dad is thinking too. So, I guess my question is: Can I write in first person and third person in one novel? I would use one of those star things (I'm drawing a blank on what they're called) or something to separate it. I hope that made sense. Any help would be appreciated.
First of all, if the reader understands what's happening, you can do whatever you want. I'm actually writing my novel in first and third person, although for very different reasons, and many people have done the same.
What I would suggest you look into is something called 'free indirect style.' This page:
will explain it better than I probably can, but I will say that if you can pull it off, it gives your story extra substance that you wouldn't otherwise be able to achieve. Read some Virginia Woolf if you want some inspiration, or just to see a great author using a great style.
If you have any questions, they drill this stuff into me in my Creative Writing lectures, so I'd be happy to help out.
Good luck.
-O
Gone, gone from New York City,
where you gonna go with a head that empty?
Gone, gone from New York City,
where you gonna go with a heart that gone?
Of course you can do it — it's your novel, you can pretty much do anything you want. It's kind of a matter of taste, and how well you incorporate it into the story. Personally, I don't mind POV switches as long as they happen consistently. So, you know, don't have twenty chapters of one character and then jump to another character at the last minute. In general, it can be kind of tricky to incorporate POV switches because they're always a little jarring.
If you do decide that's the route you're taking, I'd recommend not switching from first person to third person and back. It's not that it's impossible to pull off, but it's very difficult; obviously, if you want to try it then it's your call, but know that it's a really easy way to jar your readers out of the narrative.
I would suggest that instead of doing any kind of POV switches, maybe try to incorporate the way his mother thinks about his behaviour into the story. Maybe in the way she talks to him — maybe she's always a little concerned. Or maybe when she's talking to him, there are little visual cues: her face looks anxious, she wrings her hands, taps her fingers on the table — little things to show that she's uncomfortable with the situation. Or maybe he overhears his mother and father arguing about it, or his mother talking to a friend/neighbour/something. There are plenty of ways to show her thoughts without actually resorting to a POV switch.
Once again, ultimately it's your decision so if you feel strongly about going in a certain direction, go for it. It may also help to show these chapters around, either by posting them on YWS or showing them to people whose opinions you trust.
Whatever you decide, good luck! : )
"He yanked himself free and fled to the kitchen where something huddled against the flooded windowpanes. It sighed and wept and tapped continually, and suddenly he was outside, staring in, the rain beating, the wind chilling him, and all the candle darkness inside lost."
