Writers are lucky, because we get to change perspective all the time in our storytelling universe. We can decide who is the most interesting character to convey the story events. Depending on whose point-of-view we choose, we can hide information that a character might not be privy to. We can heighten the drama since we know how a character might react to a certain bit of news as it unfolds.
As writers, we can also benefit from changing our own POV.
We can become accustomed to seeing our environment, as well as our place in it, in such a way that we lose sight of other ways of looking at things. We cut ourselves off from other possibilities, because we've gotten used to grinding through chores from sunup to sundown the same way every single moment.
Maybe we need to recalibrate our vision. Like at the optometrist's office, when they click the lenses on that steampunk goggle machine, asking, "Better like this or better like that?" It's amazing how different one little "click" can make things, how much sharper the focus is when we change our perspective even slightly.
It would be easier to stay in the "I don't need to change anything" viewpoint.
But I don't know that writers have that luxury. We're constantly taking in new information and processing it so that we can tell our stories. We are never in a static place. Our brains are constantly churning, pondering, creating. In fact it's when our minds AREN'T doing those things that we feel that sense of unease and discomfort. We call it writer's block, but it may be we're not blocked so much as stuck in a rut of our own making.
So let's change our POV today. It doesn't have to be a huge change. Just one little click is all it takes.
The sun is shining. Does that make you think of frolicking, or do you see the dust motes instead? Or maybe it's raining. Do you sigh and think of all the mud that's on its way, or do you smile and think of all the daffodils getting ready to bloom?
I'm not saying you have to be happy all the time. Or maybe I am. It depends on which day it is, and which direction I've clicked. But what can it hurt to keep our minds open to other interpretations of the events we experience on a daily basis? Maybe it will release some of the stress that prevents us from writing. Maybe it will give us a new understanding of a character's POV.
And maybe it will make us enjoy our writing life a little bit more each day.
________________________________________________________________________
I have another post up at Heroes and Heartbreakers today. It's called "Dark and Dangerous: The Lure of Gothic Romances", and I hope you'll stop by and add to the discussion.
Swinging the perspective pendulum does make a big difference. So does the negative language we use on ourselves. By changing the way we speak to ourselves, we change the way we view ourselves and that in turn, helps us click onto another perspective. A more positive one.
Thanks for the reminder, Donna. Great post!
Posted by: E.C. Smith | April 11, 2011 at 08:40 AM
E.C., I love your description of it as a pendulum. When I'm having a bumpy day, that's what keeps me going, knowing it'll swing back the other direction soon. And I completely agree with changing how we treat ourselves--which can affect others as well. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 11, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Your blog reminds me of when my therapist said it's okay to be depressed. You just use it to pamper yourself and do what you need to pamper yourself right out of it.
Right now, I want to be pampered. Not because I'm depressed, just exhausted. But today, I will write!
Posted by: Maureen | April 11, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Maureen, pampering is ALWAYS appropriate! LOL In fact, we don't get nearly enough of that. I think every emotion is appropriate, and there's usually a reason for it, but we're a little wary of certain ones overstaying, so we try to avoid them. But maybe if we pamper them, they'll move along when they're supposed to. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 11, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Sunshine? I'm there. I'm always up for a new perspective. It's funny we blogged on very similar topics today, yet ended up with 2 very different posts. Yours was wonderful, as usual :)
Posted by: Clarissa Southwick | April 11, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Clarissa, you're right--they are similar topics! I have to remind myself sometimes to look at things from a different angle, and as you said in your post, sometimes you need to do that by NOT writing. :) Thanks for the kudos!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 11, 2011 at 03:11 PM
Whenever I'm in a funk, I try to look at what's happening from a different perspective. Maybe I joke about it, or make up funny stories. Often I tell myself how it could be worse, which is always worth a giggle. In my writing, if I'm stuck with a scene, I'll try writing it from another character's point of view. Wammo! I know exactly what should happen.
Posted by: Kari Marie | April 11, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Kari Marie, I try to do the same thing, although sometimes the funk can get in the way of that! And I love the "it could be worse". LOL
Changing the character's POV in a scene can be amazing, can't it? It really points out how everyone sees the same situation so differently.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 11, 2011 at 08:54 PM
I needed to read this today. Have hit a bit of a wall with my WIP (it's a wall I can keep moving, but I have to push hard and it edges forward one inch at a time...)
In any case, I think I need to take spring break and work on other projects, spend time with the kids, recalibrate.
Then come back to my novel with fresh eyes.
A new point of view.
(fingers crossed...)
Posted by: julie | April 12, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Julie, I'm glad you found it helpful. I do think it's important to recalibrate (one of my fave words), and sure, we can keep pushing against that wall while it pushes us back. Or we can find another way around it. I think you've got some great ideas there. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 12, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I'm not good at changing my POV, but I'm always better off when I manage it. Like I've gone back to wearing glasses full time and keep thinking I'd like more than one pair to choose from depending on my mood. Then I remembered my old glasses are the same prescription so I wore them today. I now have two different looks. Ha!
When it comes to writing, brainstorming with a fellow writer does wonders for me. Couldn't figure out this opening scene and then emailing with Hellie this morning made the answer as clear as day. I just couldn't *see* it until our conversation.
Posted by: Terri Osburn | April 12, 2011 at 04:06 PM
Terri, I thinking managing your POV is just as good as changing it. :) And I like the idea of having different eyewear to suit your mood. I switch between my glasses and contacts for the same reason. :)
It is amazing how brainstorming really does clear our vision, especially when a writing partner can see the things we're blind to. Maybe we're trying so hard we've closed our eyes tight, so we can't see anything. I'm glad the opening scene got all worked out!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 12, 2011 at 04:37 PM
I like changing POV between the hero and heroine. I love writing my villain's pov. It occurs to me that changing pov isn't only good for writing, but I think it would benefit writers, people, all of us, to change our own pov in life. Step into someone else's shoes and see things from their angle. Not just so we're more understanding of a person or idea, but so we can see things from a fresh angle.
Posted by: Anita Clenney | April 12, 2011 at 06:04 PM
Anita, yes, we do benefit from seeing things from another person's POV in real life. I try to approach it that way, especially when I can't figure out WHY somebody is doing something! It does give you a fresh perspective, and of course, as writers, we use ALL of that stuff we learn. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 12, 2011 at 06:22 PM
There are times in real-life where I'd love to switch from first-person to third-person!
Posted by: Liz Fichera | April 13, 2011 at 09:38 AM
Liz, you're too funny! Now I'm going to go through the day trying to imagine what it would be like if I did that. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 13, 2011 at 10:11 AM