Multiple points of view

[Neville.Orange]

I am writing a short story and have passed a draft over to a couple of friends for their review. The main negative point they make is my use of more than one point of view in the story. After the first review I rewrote the story and brought it down to two perspectives; a security officer and a mentally disturbed man he interacts with. The second review suggested I just write the story from one perspective.

I had hoped that the contrast between the two views of reality would be worth the effort to move between perspectives, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make this type of format work effectively?

[skib]

Uuuuuuumm, if I am following what you are saying, I would say it all depends on what kind of story you are trying to tell. If it is just about the interaction between the two, then yes it would be okay to use both. Give a little more background about the story (basic elements) and maybe we can help. You might even post it (unless you already have) and then you'll for sure get some good feedback.

[Abdiel]

Well, Neville, just how good are your friends at editing?

It might be that you wrote the story well and that your choice of multiple points of view actually work, but you're friends might not perceive that. Of course, it's always good to get editors for your work, even if they're not the best. But if you're friends are not at least decent editors, then don't with their opinions on your work.

Let me just say that there have been many great writers who've been misunderstood or under-appreciated at first, but have attained their reputation afterwards.

And ask yourself: are the multiple points of view absolutely necessary to your work? If not, if it's just for the sake of making something interesting, then that might not be the way to go. Every writing choice you make must be needed and must not go to waste. If you need help, read The Great Gatsby, or another work which uses multiple points of view. The Great Gatsby has a fine example of having a key part of the story narrated by another character.

Also, you're talking about multiple FIRST-PERSON narrators, right? Not just following multiple characters in the third person?