20.15: Third Person Omniscient

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Apr 13, 2025

Dive into the fascinating world of third-person omniscient narration, a style that allows for deep character insights and expansive storytelling. Learn why this perspective, despite its old-fashioned reputation, is still effective in modern writing. The hosts discuss the challenges and unique opportunities this voice provides, including the balance between withholding information and building tension. Plus, get creative with a fun writing challenge focusing on sensory details in a street scene from multiple bystanders' views!

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ANECDOTE

Three Shakes

Howard Tayler cites Tom Clancy's "Sum of All Fears" as an example of effective omniscient POV.
The chapter "Three Shakes" details a nuclear detonation's effects, including a satellite shorting out in orbit.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

FTL Explanation

Dan Wells used omniscient POV in his Zero-G series to explain faster-than-light travel.
He initially faced pushback from writing groups due to the didactic nature of the explanation, but he refined it to fit the story better.

insights

INSIGHT

World's Perspective

Erin Roberts discusses using omniscient POV to represent the world's perspective, which can be bigger than any single character.
She adjusted the rhythm and style of her writing to match the specific domain of each god she wrote about in Pathfinder.

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Exploring the Depths of Third-Person Omniscient Perspective

01:47 • 2min

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The Art of Omniscient Narration

03:31 • 9min

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Navigating Voice in Third-Person Omniscient Narration

12:08 • 3min

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Mastering Third-Person Omniscient Narration

15:02 • 12min

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Crafting Sensory Street Scenes

26:41 • 3min

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Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth. The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect. Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption. The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.

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The book follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman, whose house and planet are about to be demolished. He is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. Together, they embark on a journey through space, encountering various characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, Trillian, a human woman, and Marvin, a paranoid android. The story involves their adventures on the spaceship Heart of Gold, which has an Infinite Improbability Drive, and their quest to understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, which is revealed to be '42'. The novel is known for its humor, satire, and imaginative storytelling.

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Guy Gavriel Kay

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From the Big Bang to Black Holes

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In 'A Brief History of Time', Stephen Hawking delves into fundamental questions about the universe, including its origin, the nature of space and time, and the fate of the cosmos. The book discusses key concepts such as the Big Bang, black holes, and the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics. Hawking also explores the possibility of time travel and wormholes, and he reflects on the intersection of science and philosophy, including the search for a unifying theory of everything and the implications for our understanding of existence and the universe.

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The Lions of Al-Rasan

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Guy Gavriel Kay's "The Lions of Al-Rasan" is a historical fantasy novel set in a fictional world inspired by the Islamic Golden Age. The story follows several characters whose lives intertwine amidst political intrigue and personal struggles. Kay's evocative prose creates a richly detailed world, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and culture of Al-Rasan. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the enduring power of human connection. Kay's masterful storytelling creates a sense of historical depth and emotional resonance, making it a captivating read for fans of historical and fantasy fiction. The book's exploration of cultural nuances and complex characters adds to its richness and depth.

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The Sum of All Fears

Tom Clancy

In this novel, Tom Clancy explores the dangers of nuclear war and the complexities of international politics. The story follows Jack Ryan as he navigates a crisis where Arab terrorists find a lost Israeli nuclear bomb and plan to use it to incite conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. With the world on the brink of nuclear war, Ryan and his colleagues must act quickly to prevent a catastrophic outcome. The book delves into themes of intelligence gathering, policy-making, and the risks of complacency in the face of nuclear threats.

With today’s episode, we are continuing our discussion on proximity by focusing on another POV: third person omniscient. In omniscient POV, the narrator can see all and move into any character's head. It's sometimes seen as old fashioned, like Jane Austen. But writers like John Scalzi and Liza Palmer are using it to good effect as a way of exerting control over exactly what the audience sees in ways that are similar to a filmmaker. So why is it so hard to do well? And what does it allow the writer to do that no other voice does?

Homework: Describe a street scene where your main character is walking down the street. Move us through this scene through the perspective of 5-6 bystanders observing this happening. Focus on sensory details: what is everybody seeing/ smelling/ looking at? And how does this establish where your main character is in the scene?

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were DongWon Song, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, and Erin Roberts. Our guest was Chuck Tingle. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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