Elements of Fiction (39)

Element 39: Viewpoint

Viewpoint is a key Fictional Element. Through whose eyes are things seen? Through whose feelings are things felt? Through whose tongue are tings told? These are all key decisions that the writer has to make, and then stick to. Yes, you can have several viewpoints, but one cardinal sin that a writer commits is to be unclear about who is seeing, feeling, talking at any given time.

More from Ulf Wolf

Raised by trolls in northern Sweden, now settled on the California coast a stone’s throw south of the Oregon border. Here I meditate and write. Wolfstuff.com.

Love podcasts or audiobooks? Learn on the go with our new app.

Try Knowable