Third Person Omniscient

[JJ Somerville]

Hello Everyone!

I'm new around here but I thought I'd ask if anyone else was writing third person omniscient?

What challenges are you finding with it? What are the joys of it?

 

Warm Regards

JJ

[Arabella Wyatt]

Hello JJ

I write in the third person and the only challenge for me is how much information to give the reader, and how much to keep back; I want to be fair and not withhold something vital just for a cheap effect later in the book, but at the same time I don't want to swamp the reader with too much information that they don't need and may not want...

How about you?

Arabella 

[dave bartram]

I like 3rd person omniscient, but as I am writing YA I have been discouraged from it, which is a shame. Currently writing close 3rd person which I hope to slowly extend into limited 3rd.

[Jarod D. Crews]

Why discouraged? I find that most YA is written in TPO.

[J Boone Dryden]

I prefer 3rd person omniscient when I am writing relatively epic tales, but being that steampunk -- in my experience -- is a little more personal, I think limited or close is a more effective means of conveying narrative and characterization. I think one of the challenges of writing in a completely omniscient viewpoint is that the reader has to rely a lot on the narrator to give physical descriptions, as well as more outward characterization, and thus leave personal characterization to good dialog. With limited or close, I feel more comfortable giving a slightly more skewed perspective to the narrative and giving away from characterization through that mechanic.

[Xeno Gilder]

Which is the best, least problematic pov style for Steampunk

[Jarod D. Crews]

Hello, JJ! 

Originally my novel was in TPO, but I found the information read a mite muddled. Personally, there's a  preference to wander in the TPLimited; it allows me to express all sides of the tale: both protagonists and antagonists --in my mind -- need to be respected and understood. There is always a reason why the baddies do what they do, and, often times, I find myself empathizing with their agenda -- unless, of course, it's entirely macabre with no earnest reasoning (killing for the sheer purpose of watching someone hurt), dissolute, or ineffectual. There is also the ability to do thorough character studies, devoting entire chapters to one individuals beliefs, repugnances,  inner dialogues, and so on, all the while being able to transgress the typical, chronological flow of TPO.

These have been my observations, and you can take them as you will,

Jarod D. Crews.

[Xeno Gilder]

Is it acceptable to switch from different pov's?

[Jarod D. Crews]

Switching POVs within what? A book? A chapter? I opine that it  would read a touch confused, the story, if views were volleyed in the confines of a singular work.

Your thoughts?

[Jeremy Brandon Murphy]

I write in whatever POV the story calls for sake of smooth story flow

[Xeno Gilder]

That would be a book/long form story