tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post944688007341993805..comments2024-01-04T03:21:53.195-05:00Comments on Fear in Writing: Guest Blogger: Margot Kinberg--POV in Crime FictionJournoMichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11170364981958685438noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-89326648422698313992010-08-21T10:18:30.615-04:002010-08-21T10:18:30.615-04:00Michele - Awwww... *blush* Thanks : )! And you are...Michele - Awwww... *blush* Thanks : )! And you are a most excellent blog host. Such great hostpitality : ).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-78856987852054042542010-08-21T09:33:15.450-04:002010-08-21T09:33:15.450-04:00I'm sorry I didn't get to post my characte...I'm sorry I didn't get to post my character info, but I think we can all agree Margot did a great job! Thanks, Margot.<br /><br />MicheleJournoMichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11170364981958685438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-69047054668532791562010-08-20T17:08:52.652-04:002010-08-20T17:08:52.652-04:00Donna - Thank you : ). I like the way you put that...Donna - Thank you : ). I like the way you put that, too: when we're writing (or reading) mysteries, we are delving into sometimes very nasty characters' lives. If we want to keep the reader engaged, or as readers, if we want to stay engaged, there has to be a character with some appeal. So point of view becomes quite important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-36310384713080803882010-08-20T16:57:24.918-04:002010-08-20T16:57:24.918-04:00I agree with Rayna's comment: Watson is a more...I agree with Rayna's comment: Watson is a more likeable and connectable character than Holmes and is therefore a great narrator for the series. <br /><br />That is the challenge with writing crime: quite often you are writing about the most heinous in society, and so there needs to be a character the reader can identify with and stay alongside through the story.<br /><br />Great article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-78212682923738896862010-08-20T16:40:57.961-04:002010-08-20T16:40:57.961-04:00Jemi - Oh, isn't it cool? I have to admit, the...Jemi - Oh, isn't it cool? I have to admit, the first time I read it, I was completely taken in. And then of course, if one reads it over, one sees all of the many little clues that point to that killer...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-75282350750035140412010-08-20T15:17:48.325-04:002010-08-20T15:17:48.325-04:00I remember reading that A Christie novel told from...I remember reading that A Christie novel told from the villain's pov. It was the first time I'd run into that and I was floored! I think I actually reread the entire thing right away - looking for the clues and the avoidances. Really cool! :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-51378668662774619462010-08-20T12:59:08.084-04:002010-08-20T12:59:08.084-04:00Terry - Thank you : ). And you've put that qui...Terry - Thank you : ). And you've put that quite, quite well: multiple POV can add a layer of suspense to a story, especially if A knows something, but B and C don't, and we follow them as they find out. Those kinds of strategies can really keep readers turning pages. <br /><br />As long as the author makes a conscious decision as to how s/he will use POV, there are several choices.<br /><br /><br /><br />Summer Ross - You're right; POV isn't always easy, especially if the author is trying to convey suspense, drop "red herrings," and so on. And thanks so much for thinking of <i>Confessions...</i> for an award. I'll be right over : ).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-32181871741736557312010-08-20T12:26:33.391-04:002010-08-20T12:26:33.391-04:00POV in mystery is intricate. thanks for posting so...POV in mystery is intricate. thanks for posting some great information. Stop by my blog I have an award for you. :)Summer Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122694893668693244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-28262003847542874602010-08-20T10:49:45.919-04:002010-08-20T10:49:45.919-04:00Margot, I think you've summed it up perfectly ...Margot, I think you've summed it up perfectly here: Whichever decision the author makes about point of view, the key is for the story to make sense for the reader and be easy to follow.<br /><br />You have to find what's best for the story. And if you're leaning toward suspense rather than straight mystery, those multiple POV characters, including the villain, make perfect sense. <br /><br />Terry<br /><a href="http://terryodell.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><a href="http://www.terryodell.com" rel="nofollow">Romance with a Twist--of Mystery</a>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-14717899230032583672010-08-20T09:50:47.789-04:002010-08-20T09:50:47.789-04:00Clarissa - You know, it's interesting how many...Clarissa - You know, it's interesting how many multiple POV novels there are out there. I'm going to have to start thinking about that and see if that's a trend, or if it's always been that way. Hmm.... And yes, having the killer's point of view can add not just insight but interest and spice to a novel. So long as it's well-drawn, so that we can really understand the killer's personality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-44081056233831958392010-08-20T09:45:38.542-04:002010-08-20T09:45:38.542-04:00I'm finding the multiple points of view are ve...I'm finding the multiple points of view are very common these days! I also like it from the killers POV. If not the whole novel, like that lovely AC novel, at least some chapters.<br /><br />CDAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-40902011446554054932010-08-20T09:32:54.268-04:002010-08-20T09:32:54.268-04:00Jen - Thanks for being so gracious about waiting t...Jen - Thanks for being so gracious about waiting to find out about Michele's character : ). I want to know, too! And I agree; point of view and the way authors use it is such an interesting thing. It can really significantly affect a story's outcome.<br /><br /><br />Mason - Why, thank you! And I agree; any of a number of POV's can make for a fascinating story. To me, it's a matter of which POV is the best fit for a given story.<br /><br /><br /><br />Documentary - Thanks for the kind remarks; I do appreciate your interest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-79601533771409991562010-08-20T09:07:05.494-04:002010-08-20T09:07:05.494-04:00Michele, thanks for hosting Margot today.
Margot,...Michele, thanks for hosting Margot today.<br /><br />Margot, as always I learn from your post. I enjoy reading mysteries that features all of these POVs. I think that's one thing that makes the mysteries so intriguing is the different POVs authors use. <br /><br />Mason<br /><a href="http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Thoughts in Progress</a>Mason Canyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935307400882363560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-75505106234787673942010-08-20T08:39:09.956-04:002010-08-20T08:39:09.956-04:00I have to say I'm sad that I didn't get to...I have to say I'm sad that I didn't get to see your character and now I'm forced to wait until tomorrow *stomps feet* but I am not disappointed what I came across!!<br /><br />This was such a great guest spot! I love learning new point of views, and how everyone writes differently. So many different genres, so many different ways to write!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-40575170303817848442010-08-20T07:57:52.581-04:002010-08-20T07:57:52.581-04:00Alex - I know what you mean. I write in third pers...Alex - I know what you mean. I write in third person, myself. For me, anyway, I find that it's easier to let the reader know what's going on "in the background" and with other characters if I use third person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-26360458513679776452010-08-20T07:40:49.440-04:002010-08-20T07:40:49.440-04:00Never thought of all the POVs in mysteries. I don&...Never thought of all the POVs in mysteries. I don't write in the that genre, but prefer third person from two - three characters max.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-50653277679135649412010-08-20T06:53:56.573-04:002010-08-20T06:53:56.573-04:00Rayna - Thank you! And thank you so much for your ...Rayna - Thank you! And thank you so much for your interest in my books : )! That's so kind of you. And you know, I hadn't thought of it that way, but yes, I think Watson is a much more appealing narrator. I think the Holmes stories might not be nearly as approachable, I suppose, if Holmes narrated them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7193005159654060545.post-51099290295859188932010-08-20T06:34:32.386-04:002010-08-20T06:34:32.386-04:00Fascinating, as all your posts are, Margot. I love...Fascinating, as all your posts are, Margot. I love that particular Agatha Christie precisely because of the twist in the end.<br />Watson as a narrator is so much nicer than Holmes as a narrator, isn't he? Though to give Conan Doyle, he brings out the analness in Holmes really well when he gets him to narrate.<br /><br />And I really must see if I can get a copy of your book here- sounds fascinating.Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00481081735923606868noreply@blogger.com