Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
The omniscient author/narrator knows
everything about everyone including each one’s thoughts and motivations, even
when the characters themselves don’t know. It allows many views of viewing an
incident from many personalities and perceptions. And this narrator assumes
complete control as to what information to share.
Think of a detective taking down all the
statements of witnesses at a robbery or accident scene. The reader will get a
wide scope and insight that a single character cannot give. And it can show
friction if the statements conflict with each other.
However this style also creates emotional
distance. We don’t really know what the characters are feeling. Both tone and atmosphere
are set by the narrator as to whether he unravels the story with a touch of
amusement or sarcasm or compassion. Can the reader trust him?
For the younger audience the choice can be
confusing if not done with great skill. Charlotte’s
Web, by E. B. White, and Winnie-the-Pooh
by A. A. Milne are two examples of the omniscient view done well for this age.
A YA audience may find this POV helpful when
reading on a topic or activity that is painful or contradictory by giving them
emotional space to process diverse ideas. However it can also cause disengagement
or more confusion if lacking a strong thread.
Action Steps:
1.Take a key
scene that you have written and re-write it as if a neutral observer fly on the
wall detached narrator. You cannot enter your character’s thinking. Values and
judgments are implied.
2.
Now reread your original scene and note what you lost and what you gained in
understanding from this different perspective.
3.
Can you strengthen your choice version by implementing new insight?
Share: Did any details surprise you?
Read deep, marcy
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