So, in the one month blogoversary post, I listed a few things I wanted to accomplish with this blog. One of those things is the new feature, Steps on the Journey. The purpose of this feature is to recommend books about writing, publishing, and “the biz” that I, or friends, have found useful. And to that end, here’s our first Step!
Anyone who’s read in the science fiction or fantasy realm has probably at least heard of Orson Scott Card. He is a prolific author, having written books, short stories, plays, articles, essays and reviews.
In Characters and Viewpoint, Card gives you tools to create memorable, fleshed-out characters with their own styles, which is so important to making your readers care & come back for more! It’s a pretty easy read; it’s not as dry as many books on writing are. Card’s style is all over this thing.
One of the things I found most helpful about this book is the emphasis on viewpoint. Card emphasizes the differences among the myriad points of view: omniscient, first person and limited third (2 different depths). His explanations are visual as well as verbal/written, making them much easier to grasp than in other POV books I’ve read.
Recommendation:
This writing book is recommended for all writers, and especially beginning writers and those who need a little more guidance when it comes to point of view.
Have a book to suggest for this feature? Drop me a comment!
Possibly related:
Category: 
Thanks for the recommendation!
I’m desperately looking for a pen to write the book info down.
Periapex’s last blog post..Our First Convict Patient.
New Feature: Steps on the Journey - Characters & Viewpoint…
In Characters and Viewpoint, Orson Scott Card gives you tools to create memorable, fleshed-out characters with their own styles, which is so important to making your readers care & come back for more! It’s a pretty easy read; it’s not as dry as many …
I should prolly read it* I could never purposely sit down to write a Book tho* I’m better just doing my Blog + letting it Flow free + naturally Warts n Farts n All!!
;))
BillyWarhol’s last blog post..Toronto Fire sheer Devastation*
Wow, prayers answered… I was struggling with this exercise in my own novel writing… thanks so much.
Looking forward to reading Card’s book. =)
Mewie’s last blog post..Prayer Pups (Fear)
I really didn’t have a huge problem with staying in the correct POV, but I never understood the differences among the types of POV. I really can’t recommend this book enough! (As evidenced by the fact that I’m still touting it in the comments of the post in which I originally touted it! LOL)
VG
I’d love you to comment on:
http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/
A writer posed a question that this book addresses. I wonder if you could give a couple of the helpful hints you learned to the struggling writer????? One writer helping another. Nothing better.
Great blog!
Martha Alderson’s last blog post..Do Characters Talk to You?
Cool — you’ve got great timing for me. I’ve been struggling with POV on a current project of mine. :o)
Carolyn B.’s last blog post..My Part in ‘The Great Interview Experiment’
I really like the direction you have taken with this site. I came across it through Blogcatalog, I will add you there and Technorati.
Matt Barnes’s last blog post..What On Earth Is Wrong With Gravity?
Thanks for the kind words, all!
Martha - I commented on the blog post you mentioned. What I wrote is something I have to continually remind myself as well!
Carolyn - I’m so glad you found this recommendation a help. It’s such a fantastic book!
Matt - Thanks very much for the adds and I’m happy you’re enjoying the site
VG
Orson Scott Card is one of my favourite authors. He has a wonderful grasp on a characters point of view and this is a major issue when writing a book, choosing who’s telling the story and how much of the thought and emotions that other characters have can be revealed and by whom.
I’ll be looking for this book. Thanks for telling me about it.