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Q&A Writing differently when following different character POVs - mainly age difference. (3rd Person)

Mark Baker's response more-or-less says it all. Let me rephrase some of it: A book always has just one POV, namely that of the author, who is not necessarily a character. Then, the author may pret...

posted 7y ago by System‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T06:20:05Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/27542
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T06:20:05Z (almost 5 years ago)
Mark Baker's response more-or-less says it all. Let me rephrase some of it:

A book always has just one POV, namely that of the author, who is not necessarily a character. Then, the author may _pretend_ to have to POV of a character. But there is no rule saying that the author must pretend. The choice is yours.

My own sentiment is that if we are reading the character's mind, then use language suited to the character. But if the text is merely an external observation, then use neutral language. Thus:

Carly saw her mother, and said, "Hi, mom." (Neutral description, since it can been seen externally.)

Carly thought her mom looked kinda grody today. (In Carly's thoughts, so not neutral.)

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2017-04-14T15:36:53Z (over 7 years ago)
Original score: 2