| At this point in the process of writing the novel | | | | the narrator in the next scene or chapter. These |
| the writer has his basic idea, the key character | | | | distinguishing traits must also appear in sections of |
| and possibly some secondary characters and is | | | | exposition i.e. plain narration. This is difficult to |
| about to start plotting. But before he can do this | | | | achieve for an inexperienced writer. |
| there is an important decision to be made. How | | | | However, the writer could use mixed narrative - |
| shall the writer tell his story - in first person | | | | some chapters in first person and others in third. |
| narrative or third person narrative? This decision | | | | There are no rules or conventions against this |
| will have a profound effect on character, plot and | | | | ploy. But the reader must be considered. It is |
| the structure of the novel (i.e. the shape of the | | | | imperative that the reader is not confused by |
| novel). It is important, therefore, that this be | | | | constant shifts in the format of narrative. The |
| decided before any plotting is undertaken. | | | | successful novel is always a smooth read. Pace is |
| Let us look more closely at first person narrative. | | | | important here, too, but that will be dealt with in a |
| This is very often the choice of new writers. This | | | | further article. |
| appears to them to be a very natural way of | | | | Let us consider third person narrative. |
| telling a story. | | | | "Wendy clutched the collar of her coat more |
| "I was born at a very young age..." | | | | tightly around her neck. 'Come on, Jen,' she said |
| At first glance first person narrative appears to | | | | impatiently. 'Hurry up or we'll miss the bus.' |
| give immediacy to the story, in the sense that it | | | | Without another glance at her companion she |
| appears to bring writer and reader closer | | | | stepped out into the pouring rain..." |
| together. But consider. The tale that is being told | | | | Third person narrative is a very useful tool. It |
| by the first person narrator lies in the past - the | | | | readily distinguishes between characters and their |
| events that the narrator is telling the reader | | | | traits. It facilitates dialogue. Also the events of the |
| about have already happened. No matter how | | | | story are happening right before the readers' |
| exciting or suspenseful the yarn may be it is | | | | eyes. The reader is right at the character's elbow |
| obvious that the narrator survived to tell the tale. | | | | as events unfold. In other words, the reader 'lives' |
| It is true the average reader may overlook this | | | | the events along with the characters. |
| aspect, but there are more difficult aspects of | | | | Wendy may survive to the end of the novel or |
| first person narrative to face. In the first instance | | | | she may not. A note of caution here - if Wendy |
| it limits the viewpoint of the narrator. The | | | | is the key character then she must survive - the |
| narrator can only tell the reader about the events | | | | key character and what happens to that |
| in the story which he observed or heard himself | | | | character is the nub of the novel. Secondary |
| or was told about. He cannot describe events | | | | characters can be killed off if the plot requires it |
| happening elsewhere of which he has no | | | | even if they had a point-of-view in the past. Third |
| knowledge. | | | | person narrative can be considered less stilted |
| Ah, you say, but he can switch to another | | | | than first person narrative with its limitations. |
| character in the story and tell what happened | | | | How to decide which narrative is suitable for your |
| from that new viewpoint. This is true, but this | | | | novel? Try this exercise. Write a short scene first |
| reveals a further difficulty. If first person narration | | | | in first person and then write the same scene |
| is continued in this new viewpoint how can the | | | | again in third person. |
| writer distinguish between the different 'voices' of | | | | Remember that the type of narration chosen will |
| the characters when in first person narrative? | | | | have an effect on your characters, the plotting |
| For a character to come live off the page he/she | | | | and the structure of the novel. |
| needs to be fully rounded. Unique patterns of | | | | The subject of structure and construction of the |
| speech, tone of voice and pitch should differ | | | | novel, scene by scene, will be discussion in a |
| between characters so that the reader can have | | | | further article. |
| no doubt about who is speaking dialogue or who is | | | | |