Head Hopping
If the text indicates a character’s feelings or internal thoughts, that is the POV character. Avoid changing POV too frequently. It is a common practice to include a blank line when POV switches, to help the reader.
Example of really baaaad head hopping:
“We could play poker.” Darla smiled at Rick, hoping he’d say
yes. She wasn’t ready to say goodnight just yet. [Darla’s
POV]
Rick dragged a hand over his jaw and nodded slowly. The devil
in him wanted to suggest a small adaptation of the game. One involving the
removal of clothes. [Rick’s POV]
Darla didn’t miss the wicked sparkle in Rick’s gaze. Her
skin prickled with anticipation. “I’ll get the cards.” [Darla’s
POV]
“Super.” Rick watched the sway of Darla’s hips as she
sauntered to the kitchen. [Rick’s POV]
4 comments:
And I tell you it's the thing critiquers of your work will jump on, and yet 'big' authors seem to get away with it. It really grates with me when I see it being done. Husband is so tired of lying next to me in bed and I yell - she's swapped POV in the same paragraph. He's a saint to put up with me.
Excellent points here. Excessive head-hopping is so distracting that even the best stories become hard to read.
It never bothered me as a reader until I learned it was wrong.
Rhea - isn't that the truth! We've been conditioned now to think it's wrong and there's no way back!
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