Description
Some stories are told from a single point of view, while others are told by many characters who take turns giving us their own (sometimes conflicting) version of events. Multiple-perspective storytelling can be powerful, allowing fiction writers to explore different timelines, add suspense, and enhance reader empathy. But such structures are tricky to get right, requiring smooth transitions between different voices. How do you decide when to tell your story using multiple perspectives? Which characters should serve as narrators? And once you’ve decided to use multiple perspectives, how do you create voices that are strong and distinct?
In this session, we will look at examples from short stories and novels that mix different timelines and voices, use short writing exercises to practice creating different characters’ voices, and discuss the when, why, and how of using different techniques to best deliver a powerful, multi-layered narrative.
