Couple of questions

[Ishar]

I just have a couple of questions to aid me in my writing.

I've written the first draft, and will now be going back and re-writing it. I think I will be aiming at the English Fantasy market in length. So might be an idea to keep that in mind. Ok, the questions then.

1) I have a scene where creatures of 2 different species meet each other for the first time. They have no common method of communication. I want both sides of the confrontation to be understood, but dont think writing the chapter twice from 2 POV would be very good, I actually believe it might be too confusing forthe reader. Currently what I have done is divide the chapter into 2 parts, the first deals with one species, the 2nd with the other. Does this seem feasible? Or will that be frowned upon? Should I do the 2 chapter method as stated above, which I dont really want to do....... any thoughts would be nice.

2) Along similar lines, but my problem here is that I have in reality 3 scenes that are in essence the 1 scene. I have 2 creatures fighting on top of a cliff, so I start with them, being from the POV of the creature that was upthere first casting his magic (there is a slight POV shift for a few paragraphs due to the spell being cast, another character is looking through the POV characters eyes). During the fight the other combatant is thrown from the cliff. Here is where I have my confusion. So I have 2 on the cliff, then a bunch at the base of the cliff, then more waiting in the trees watching those at the base of the cliff... sounds great doesnt it. Is there any problem having all this in one chapter? I completed the stuff at the top of the cliff before I switched POV to those at the bottom, and the scene at the bottom is reasonably important to the story line. I could remove the bit where I go to the watchers. Any ideas, or too confusing.

I suppose, with these above 2 questions, if anyone wishes I can send them the chapter in question and see how they think I should handle it.

3) Theres a section at the start I am rewriting, and wanted to make sure the way I was doing it sounded ok. I have 2 groups meeting in one spot (the scene in question 1), what I am considering doing is following the events of 1 group up to that spot, then going to the 2nd group and doing them from a few weeks before the scene and working up to it, then doing the scene as above (q1)

Boy I am a confusing person.

You'll see I mention 'species' and no common method of communication. Well, I am not talking orcs and elves. I am talking humans and wolves. Wolves are the main characters of the story, and the humans, to a degree, are the bad guys. Any thoughts on my 3 questions would be more than welocme.

[Urlik]

Originally Posted by Ishar

3) Theres a section at the start I am rewriting, and wanted to make sure the way I was doing it sounded ok. I have 2 groups meeting in one spot (the scene in question 1), what I am considering doing is following the events of 1 group up to that spot, then going to the 2nd group and doing them from a few weeks before the scene and working up to it, then doing the scene as above (q1)

I once read an amazing book (Cosmic Banditos) and that starts in the middle of the story with chapters alternating between how the characters got into the situation at the start and what happens to them.

it worked really well, so it could work just as well for you

[Grimblade]

I read a book centred on the POV of wolves once. Can't remember what it was called, for the life of me..

Anyway, everything you're suggesting is definitely feasible if it's done correctly. The question isn't really can it be done but rather can you do it?

But like you say it'd be alot easier to answer these questions if I could read it so.. my email is inertdemise@hotmail.com. If you send it I'll have a look and give you my readers opinion?

[Ishar]

Ok, sent them through to you on the weekend when I was back at my home computer and not using the works toughbook.

[Young stormlord]

Originally Posted by Grimblade

I read a book centred on the POV of wolves once. Can't remember what it was called, for the life of me..

Anyway, everything you're suggesting is definitely feasible if it's done correctly. The question isn't really can it be done but rather can you do it?

But like you say it'd be alot easier to answer these questions if I could read it so.. my email is inertdemise@hotmail.com. If you send it I'll have a look and give you my readers opinion?

Do you think about "A fire upon the deep" from Vernor Vinge? (spelling?).

[Jerico]

Originally Posted by Grimblade

I read a book centred on the POV of wolves once. Can't remember what it was called, for the life of me..

Was it 'A wolf story' by James Byron Huggins?

Ishar sorry I can't think of any words of advice to offer as it all sounds quite complex. I've never read any books that seem to jump around like you're suggesting but I've certainly seen a number of very good films that have done so that were excellent, requiring lots of concentration. So good luck with it, sounds like it could be good.

[TheEndIsNigh]

Isn't there a little of it in Robin Hobbs Assassins trilogy (wolves POV)

[Grimblade]

TheEndIsNigh - Hmm.. I can't remember that but it has been awhile since I read the Assassins Trilogy.

Stormlord - It definitely isn't that one my friend because I haven't heard of it.

Jerico - Very possibly. I only glanced through it paying very little attention to the cover.

Ishar - I didn't receive any attached files in that e-mail you sent me mate, it was just blank. I scanned it for viruses etc. in case it had picked one up on the way but it wouldn't recognise any files. *shrugs* No idea. Maybe you mis-sent them?

[TheEndIsNigh]

In the assasins Fitz has 'unatural powers'.

Below is a description - presumably taken from the cover of the books. If you dislike even mild spoilers read no further.

I found the trilogy ok.

Fitz is about to discover the truth about the Fool's prophecy. Having been resurrected from his fatal tortures in Regal's dungeons, Fitz has once more foiled Regal's attempts to be rid of him. ---- Now, back in his own body, and after months of rehabilitation, Fitz must begin the painful and slow process of learning the ways of a man again. Under the watchful eye of Burrich, old King Shrewd's stable-master, Fitz must learn to cast off wild but carefree ways of the wolf and enter once more the human world:

[Ishar]

Thats weird then. I tried again. Word Docs. Chapters 3 and 19. Sent from my gmail account this time.