National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) launched earlier this month as writers around the globe try to write a 50,000-word novel draft in a single month.
To help the GalleyCat readers taking this challenge, we will be offering NaNoWriMo advice throughout the month. Last year, 341,375 participants wrote a novel in 30 days through the NaNoWriMo program. The writing marathon has generated more than 250 traditionally published novels, according to the organizers.
Our tenth tip is: Work on Point of View. Every character in your book will have a different perspective and you should try to capture these varying viewpoints. Writer’s Digest has some great point of view exercises that can help you think through a scene from the differing viewpoints. Here is one example:
Three characters are driving along listening to the radio. They argue as to which station they should listen to. Write each character’s defense of why the others should listen to the station he or she prefers. This defense could include the merits of the music and/or why the others should do what this character wants (i.e., “I’m older, that’s why.”) What does the preference in radio stations–and the method of argument–tell the reader about that character?