Hey, it’s Shannon from the Flash Fiction Magazine Universe.
I don’t know about you, but I am in full-on reading / thinking / working / studying mode now that daylight savings time is here. I am excited to read all the books this winter! 📚
Today, Finnian Burnett is answering three popular questions about Point of View. More on that below, but Finnian will also answer questions on Zoom for two hours at our next Ask Me Anything on November 17.
Finnian is teaching our upcoming workshop on POV, so attending our Ask Me Anything is a great way to get to know Finnian and their teaching style. I promise you won’t be disappointed because Finnian is a joy to learn from.
For those who can’t make it, you can look forward to the replay on November 19.
I look forward to spending time with Finnian and the community over the next few months! ❤️
— Shannon 🖖🏻
Ask Me Anything with Finnian Burnett - November 17
Do you have questions about writing or publishing? Or maybe you need to hang out with other writers because it gets lonely at the desk. I know your cats, dogs, and kids help you write, but spending time with like-minded writers is fun, too.
Our next AMA will be with Finnian Burnett, and if you have not had the pleasure of attending one of Finnian’s workshops, you are in for a treat! Those that were around last winter know what I am talking about. Take advantage of this one, trust me. Finnian will get you fired up about writing!
Learn more about Finnian and register here.
Point of View for Beginners with Finnian Burnett - December 15
Our next workshop is about the challenging topic of Point of View, but it doesn’t need to make your head spin. Finnian will break it down into fun-size chunks and demystify it for you. And…you will have fun, I promise you that. Finnian’s enthusiasm for writing and teaching is infectious; you will want to write after a workshop with them.
Learn more and procure early bird pricing ($49).
Use coupon code “EARLY” for fifty percent off.
Finnian Answers Point of View Questions
Finnian will answer the most popular questions about Point of View for the next few weeks. If you have a question about point-of-view, reply to this email, and I will pass it on to the Finnster.
Let’s get started!
How can I use point of view to establish a strong voice?
Choose the right point of view. First-person and second-person lend themselves well to a strong voice in flash, but a limited third-person can also be used effectively, especially if the author allows readers insight into the character’s thoughts, emotions, and quirks. Beyond the POV choice, authors can play with words and rhythm. How does the main character talk? Are they introspective, using long sentences and poetic language? Are they sarcastic with sharp, witty phrasing? Be consistent with language and tone, allowing the character’s personality to shine.
Sometimes, the one-breathless-paragraph concept works well to establish a voice in flash fiction, and the practice of writing stream-of-consciousness can help the author recognize the voice in their writing.
What is the best POV for flash fiction?
The truth is there is no best or worst point of view. You’ll consider the point of view based on factors such as which character has the most to lose, who/what will make the most emotional impact, and what kind of narrative distance you want in your story. Authors should also consider which point of view they feel most comfortable writing because the best stories take into account the author’s skills.
A first-person point of view might be warranted if the character’s voice is integral to your story or if you must maintain an intimate connection with the reader.
However, flash fiction is a great place to experiment with points of view, and we challenge you to write outside of your comfort zone. If you’ve never written in the third person, consider trying it. Or try a second-person point-of-view story. In the point-of-view workshop, we’ll discuss aspects of point-of-view such as narrative distance, emotional stakes, character voice, and how to choose your story’s best point of view.
In what ways can third-person POV feel as immediate and intimate as first-person in flash fiction?
Use close third-person. Dive into the main character’s thoughts, emotions, fears, and judgments. Give the character a voice. Make sure you’re mirroring the character’s inner thoughts in the narrative. This connects the reader with the character’s rich inner life. This can be more easily done by focusing on sensory experiences and insight into the character’s emotions. What is the main character smelling, tasting, hearing? What are their fingers exploring with the sense of touch? How do they emotionally react to what they see?
Remember, readers connect to characters when they can relate to them. That means showing a character’s vulnerability, introspection, and judgment about the events happening around them in the story. What does your character regret? Who do they love? Allowing the reader to experience these emotions allows the author to create a close connection, even from a third-person point of view.
PS
Raise your hand if you think daylight savings time is a drag. ✋🏼
The sun setting at five is a huge disappointment this time of year, but the upside is that I read a lot in the winter. I am reading The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper, and I give it a 👍🏼. I even bought a new notebook so I could start a lifelong Zibaldone.
