#135: Mastering Point of View and Voice: Expert Tips From Gabriela Pereira Of DIY MFA
Mar 26, 2024
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Gabriela Pereira shares expert tips on mastering Point of View and Voice in writing. She discusses choosing the right POV, 3 tips for mastering POV and voice, utilizing third-person omniscient, and maintaining consistency in editing process. Highlighting the importance of writer's voice for clarity and coherence of the story.
Understanding the writer's larger sphere of knowledge compared to the narrator's aids in creating well-rounded characters.
Embracing and nurturing one's unique voice, akin to literary DNA, is crucial for effective storytelling.
Deep dives
Understanding Point of View and Sphere of Knowledge
When considering point of view in writing, it's crucial to understand the concept of sphere of knowledge. The narrator's sphere of knowledge differs from the writer's larger understanding. Writers know more details about characters than the narrator necessarily reveals in the story. This excess knowledge helps in crafting well-rounded characters, even though not all details make it into the narrative.
Exploring Gabriela Pereira's Take on Point of View and Voice
In this episode, Gabriela Pereira discusses the importance of point of view and voice in writing. Writers often ponder how to select the best point of view for their stories and how voice ties into the narrative. Gabriela emphasizes that voice is innately personal and akin to one's literary DNA, urging writers to embrace and nurture their unique voice.
Navigating Multilayered Voices in Writing
Voice in writing operates on multiple levels, including character voices, narrator voice, and metavoice. The characters' voices should remain consistent and reflective of their unique traits. The narrator's voice, whether part of the story or detached, influences how the narrative unfolds. Metavoice, found in stories within stories, adds another layer of complexity to storytelling.
The Revision Process and Avoiding Premature Line Editing
In the revision process, it's essential to address larger structural elements before delving into line editing. Rushing into detailed edits can lead to wasted time if significant character or plot revisions are still pending. Writers should focus initially on plot coherence, character development, and narrative structure before fine-tuning at the sentence level to ensure a cohesive and polished final manuscript.
“You, the writer, have a bigger sphere of knowledge. You know more things than the narrator necessarily knows.”- Gabriela Pereira
In today’s episode, I ask Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA for her thoughts on some of the most commonly asked questions I get about point of view and voice—and she shares some of her favorite tips and strategies for mastering POV and voice in your writing. Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[1:51] What's Gabriela’s advice for writers trying to choose the "right" point of view for their book?
[05:01] 3 Tips from Gabriela for mastering POV and voice in your writing.
[15:27] Using an omniscient third-person narrator may feel easier than a limited third-person but this isn’t necessarily true. We discuss how to utilize third-party omniscient without feeling dated.
[21:10] We talk about voice and Gabriela shares why she hates when people say "Find your voice".
[38:20] The takeaway from this conversation is the importance of approaching the editing process systematically. For instance, beginning with the big picture before focusing on minor sentence-level adjustments, ultimately leads to a better editing process. It is valuable to also maintain consistency in voice and POV, making sure that the writer's voice shines through for clarity and coherence of the story.