My Point of View

Vitality Stories

Teri Case Vitality Stories

My Point of View

Like an old pair of shoes

I recently asked author, Brian Peyton Joyner, to read the drafts of three of my projects: Tiger Drive, In the Doghouse, and All About Me (my first play). As expected, he provided incredibly helpful feedback that I can use to improve all three, and he challenged me to reconsider using so many points of view. The point of view is the angle from which the author will tell the story. The point of view is critical for the success of a story and using the voice and perspective of too many characters can be confusing. Done poorly, the author can lose the reader. And yet, all three of my projects have multiple points of view.

Tiger Drive is written from the view points of four members of the Sloan family.

In the Doghouse is written from two points of view.

All About Me has seven characters. Seven points of view!

What was–am–I thinking?!

Why DO I like to share the story–the internal struggle and the manner in which the plot impacts the characters–from multiple points of view? Why not just one person’s point of view? Keep it simple, clear. An obvious answer is that I like to read books with multiple points of view, so why not write what I like to read, but Brian’s question was sticking with me.

Truth is, I hadn’t thought about WHY before. I stepped back to think about why, and I was surprised by my epiphany, and the answer involved the way I interact with people in my world.

I have nine brothers and sisters and I’m Child #6. My role growing up was always the fixer, problem solver, and understanding sibling (even if no one asked me to help, or wanted me to help–oops!). At any given time, there were nine perspectives about each family incident. I rarely shared my opinion as a child, but I always wanted to know my family members’ opinions.

As a child, I learned to at least try to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” I always wanted to know what someone else thought, or how someone else felt because I wanted to understand their perspective even if I didn’t agree with them.

In hindsight, considering an argument or problem from someone else’s viewpoint was a tool for me in a sometimes disruptive household. I know I wanted peace. I wanted calm. I still want peace and calm today and when I feel tension amongst people, I slip into my old role like a well worn pair of shoes, and try to diffuse the tension by appreciating the angle they are coming from. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

I’m now reconsidering how many view points to use in my novels and play. I think being able to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes lends insight and helps me create and understand my characters, but it doesn’t mean all of their voices need to be shared. Sometimes less is more. And other times, multiple points of view will serve the story best.

Do you gravitate towards novels with a single point of view (The Room, and Winter’s Bone, for example), or do you prefer multiple points of views such as in The Help or Truly Madly Guilty? What are a few of your favorite examples?

Finally, what personal tools do you use to better understand the people in your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please email me.

As always, thanks for being you.

Teri