Happy St. Patrick's Day!
So far this week, we've talked about the difference between main and minor characters. One of the things Ms. Seger said in her book came to my mind this morning. She likened choosing the number of characters in one's novel to a bridal portrait.
Include Buck the groom, and it can be argued that the focus remains on the bride. Add little Jennie the flower girl. Okay, your attention might still go to the bride. But, seriously, what photographer or painter would include the bride's entire extended family?
The point goes back to the question we examined earlier in the week. How many characters are truly appropriate? The point of the bridal analogy is that the focus of the portrait needs to stay upon the bride. The best way to do this is to limit the clutter surrounding the bride.
LIkewise, in writing, authors must take care not to distract the reader from the true centerpoint of the story, which is generally going to be the main character. And, yes, in some cases, it might even be a bride!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
I think I have four POV characters in my wip, with several storylines and one main line. They're all connected and will come together in the end. I didn't plan it this way, but it's how it worked out.
ReplyDeleteI don't start them all at once. The plotlines evolves as the story evolves, so I hope it works for the reader.
Interesting. I like the way you described this. It gives me a great mental image.
ReplyDeleteChristy
Hi Edie - 4 POV? Wow, I know that is tough. You must be a very organized person to keep them all straight. Or, at the least, have an incredible memory, especially to be bringing them in at different times and having to tie them all together. I bet your readers will love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christy. I must give credit for the original idea to Ms. Seger, however. She is extremely insightful, and I highly recommend her book on writing. She fills it with superb examples.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good analogy, D.A. However, when considering the wedding portrait analogy, how much more can I learn from about the bridal party or the couple themselves from a skeptical expression or knowing smirk of a bystander? Sometimes, a seemingly minor character can add a unique, unbiased (or biased) perspective that can add to the storyline. As a general rule though, I would agree that your primary concern is the "true centerpoint" of your story.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said, Mark, and after analyzing your comment, I'd add that I might not notice the one bystander's smirk if there were 5 bystanders (being that I'm not naturally observant and nobody blatantly pointed him/her out).
ReplyDeleteNice analogy on characters. Playing around with characters and cutting and condensing minor ones can wait until revisions.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah. What you said does sound like a good way to stay focused. Then again, the trouble there for me usually ends up being that I've by that time woven too tangled a web to sort through.
ReplyDelete