What do you think about head-hopping?

[AliceShiki]

Changing PoVs is fine, just make it clear when you're changing them~

Doing it after scene breaks is ideal, but if you can somehow do it in the middle of a scene without confusing your readers, it's fine too~

Personally speaking though, I prefer it when people stick to a single PoV, because I like the limited info... But well, that's just personal preference, really~

 

[BlackKnightX]

Changing PoVs is fine, just make it clear when you're changing them~

Doing it after scene breaks is ideal, but if you can somehow do it in the middle of a scene without confusing your readers, it's fine too~

Personally speaking though, I prefer it when people stick to a single PoV, because I like the limited info... But well, that's just personal preference, really~

I think it depends on the author or the storyteller. They’re the one conducting the reader’s emotional journey and immersion.

So, if the author wants to create suspense by limiting certain information, they will do so. If they want to create suspense by limiting some characters’ thoughts while at the same time reveal two character’s thoughts in the same scene without a scene break, they will do so.

I think different POVs are just frameworks to tell a story, to create different experiences the author wants to elicit in the readers.

But if you ignore all of these frameworks and only think about what experience you’re trying to elicit in the readers, you will end up with a unique style that may break the so-called rules and get away with it—like many professional writers do. They get away with a lot of rule-breaking because they tell a good story and give readers a good experience.

 

[AliceShiki]

I think it depends on the author or the storyteller. They’re the one conducting the reader’s emotional journey and immersion.

I'm not sure which part you are responding to, but if you're responding to my last paragraph... You're wrong. That doesn't depend on the author, it depends on the reader's preferences. If the reader prefers a certain style, then the reader prefers that style, period. No author will ever be able to change my preferences.

 

[BlackKnightX]

I'm not sure which part you are responding to, but if you're responding to my last paragraph... You're wrong. That doesn't depend on the author, it depends on the reader's preferences. If the reader prefers a certain style, then the reader prefers that style, period. No author will ever be able to change my preferences.

I didn’t respond to the last paragraph. I totally agree with you on the reader’s preference. No matter how good a story is written, if someone doesn't like something in it, they may just drop it. Like, for example: there are some people who don’t read the story written in 1st person POV at all. It’s an instant drop for them. Just not their thing.

I think it depends on the author or the storyteller. They’re the one conducting the reader’s emotional journey and immersion.

This is just my general idea.

My point is an author can do anything he wants, even breaking the so-called writing rules or convention, if he tells a good story. If he breaks the rule and still keeps the readers engaged and immersed in the story, then that’s great.

It all comes down to the purpose, like: what do you want to accomplish by writing in this way? What kind of feeling or emotion do you try to elicit in the readers?

Put it simply: you don’t always have to follow the so-called rules. If it works, it works. Following the rules is the safe bet, yes, but it can also be limiting. Once again, if it works, it works. Simple as that.

 

[lambenttyto]

I will argue that there's nothing wrong with head hopping, so long as you do it correctly. Oniscient is a natural head hopping POV.

 

[BlackKnightX]

I will argue that there's nothing wrong with head hopping, so long as you do it correctly. Oniscient is a natural head hopping POV.

Agreed. No need to argue. I love head-hopping.