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All that I see or seem
is but a dream within a dream.
Edgar Alan Poe
I am honored to be your guest host for this week's WDC Short Story Newsletter. I hope you enjoy the journey as we focus on some different perspectives.
The short story has all the elements of a longer work, novella or novel, but it is told in brief. The beginning, middle, twist and end. One thing I believe the short story does not have is multiple points of view. In a longer work of fiction, chapters may be defined by their speaker(s). I wouldn't go less than a chapter lest the characters become confusing/confused.
Now, I’d like to explore a misperception I had for a long time – seeing multiple points of view.
“He grabbed my purse off my arm and shuffled off, tried to blend into the crowd, but he tripped over my swinging cane and I stumbled on top of him and that’s what happened!” (point of view of the would-be victim)
"The old witch whacked me across the knees for no reason and I got tangled up in her handbag as I went down. I think I sprained my ankle.” (point of view of the would –be thief on the corner, lying prone, droopy drawers around his ankles)
"Roll over and hands where I can see them.” (point of view of the officer addressing the prone would-be purse-snatcher, as he retrieves the lady’s purse.) “Ma’am, are you okay? Did he hurt you in any way? Do you need any medical assistance?”
Three points of view? No, just one. Each of these is in the first person – as related by the character (I’ve left out more detailed descriptives here, but you can picture the scene, I think. What we’ve seen is one view, personal, from three individual perspectives ~ that of the would-be victim, the would-be perp, and an officer fortunately at the scene. None of the three acted as an impartial observer or as an outside observer. So, one point of view, three perspectives.
In a short story, one perspective normally drives the story, that of the main character, whether it be in the first person or as related by the author in second or third person. In some longer short stories, two perspectives may appear, perhaps an antagonist playing off the protagonist to foreshadow action to take place, or near the end, to help solve a mystery or to resolve the plot that’s been unfolding along the way and bring the story to its satisfying conclusion.
In a short story, the focus of the story can change as the writer shows actions, perceptions, motivation of the protagonist or main character in one scene, then perhaps the next scene the antagonist, then summing up with the focus on the observer or ancillary character (the arresting officer above?).
In a novel, chapter-by-chapter interplay can work, I think, but in a short story, the perspective of one character would drive the story, allowing the reader to identify with or empathize with that character. The author might change the focus or perspective for a scene or two in a short story for added scenic depth or to foreshadow (plant a clue or lead the reader) to a natural and satisfying resolution of the story itself.
So, perspective and focus, as designed by the author, can hold one point of view through a story, as conveyed through the actions of several characters. Maybe it will work for one of your short stories ~ really draw the reader into the ‘otherworld’ you’ve created.
Enjoy the following stories, written with a variety of perspectives and points of view and share your perception with the writers (perchance with a review .
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Short Stories: July 06, 2016 Issue [#7733]
“He grabbed my purse off my arm and shuffled off, tried to blend into the crowd, but he tripped over my swinging cane and I stumbled on top of him and that’s what happened!” (point of view of the would-be victim)
"The old witch whacked me across the knees for no reason and I got tangled up in her handbag as I went down. I think I sprained my ankle.” (point of view of the would –be thief on the corner, lying prone, droopy drawers around his ankles)
"Roll over and hands where I can see them.” (point of view of the officer addressing the prone would-be purse-snatcher, as he retrieves the lady’s purse.) “Ma’am, are you okay? Did he hurt you in any way? Do you need any medical assistance?”
Three points of view? No, just one. Each of these is in the first person – as related by the character (I’ve left out more detailed descriptives here, but you can picture the scene, I think. What we’ve seen is one view, personal, from three individual perspectives ~ that of the would-be victim, the would-be perp, and an officer fortunately at the scene. None of the three acted as an impartial observer or as an outside observer. So, one point of view, three perspectives. 
In a short story, one perspective normally drives the story, that of the main character, whether it be in the first person or as related by the author in second or third person. In some longer short stories, two perspectives may appear, perhaps an antagonist playing off the protagonist to foreshadow action to take place, or near the end, to help solve a mystery or to resolve the plot that’s been unfolding along the way and bring the story to its satisfying conclusion.
In a short story, the focus of the story can change as the writer shows actions, perceptions, motivation of the protagonist or main character in one scene, then perhaps the next scene the antagonist, then summing up with the focus on the observer or ancillary character (the arresting officer above?). 
In a novel, chapter-by-chapter interplay can work, I think, but in a short story, the perspective of one character would drive the story, allowing the reader to identify with or empathize with that character. The author might change the focus or perspective for a scene or two in a short story for added scenic depth or to foreshadow (plant a clue or lead the reader) to a natural and satisfying resolution of the story itself. 
