Write, Wrote, Written discussion

Recently finished reading "The Martian" by Andy Weir. This is only the second book I can recall that changes POV from first to third person. Christine, by Stephen King, is the other one.
In both cases it was only slightly jarring.
Has anybody tried this? I'm thinking about it for my next book, but it just seems so illegal for some reason.

Nothing is ever illegal when it comes to writing.

When you think about it, the switch between first person POV and third person POV can be similar to changing character POV in the same book.

I would say if you think it will benefit your book, if that's how you feel the story should be - with that kind of POV switching - then go for it.

King can do anything; he's a polished craftsman from having spent many years paying his dues--his tactics are solid (even if his overall strategy is cheap/lame).

Anyway, there was a BIG thread about changing POV in thrillers/mysteries in some GR group a while ago--I will see if I can dig it up for you. Naturally, it is not illegal but there certainly are PITFALLS.

thanks Eris, thanks Feliks. It would be a great workaround for the biggest downfall of writing completely first person; you can't include anything unless the narrator sees or hears it. No "meanwhile, back at the ranch"
Thanks Feliks, I'd like to read that thread.

Well there are downsides to every POV you'll pick. You just have to figure out which ones you're willing to put up with.

One issue raised in that yet-to-be-located thread is confusion for the reader as to which POV is 'speaking'--too-sudden shifts can lead to disarray rather than continuity

The best I have seen it done is by John Updike, in his book 'The Coup'--but of course that's friggin John Updike, he can do whatever he wants because he can

I would say don't change it too often as well. I've read books that change character POV every few pages and it's really distracting because it doesn't give you time to settle into any particular story. Good luck with the new book :) what's it about?

Thanks all. Has anybody read The Martian by Andy Weir? (really good read by the way) He avoids the confusion by keeping it strictly to either first person narrative by the main character or third omniscient to describe what is going back on earth to save him. Since the difference is obvious it avoids the confusion of "head jumping", yet allows us to know about the action on earth the main character couldn't know about.

Thanks Rebecca. I'm working on a sequel to my first book. Care Taker . Care Taker is entirely first person POV. That was a little frustrating because there was so much I wanted to include that I couldn't because the narrator could have no knowledge of it.

Found 'em! Discussions galore.

First sniff is here, in the 'Mysteries & Crime Thrillers' group:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

This led me back to the original thread..found in the 'Mystery, Crime, & Thriller' group run by Nancy Oakes.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks very much Feliks.