In this class, we’ll delve deeply into that devilishly complicated, enormously fun, and occasionally derided narrative perspective: omniscience. How do writers manage a perspective that sees and knows everything? What possibilities does omniscience make available to us as writers—and how do we figure out when we’re simply giving the reader too much? How do we skip from one character’s head into another character’s head without confusing—and losing—the reader? How do we speak directly to the reader without being pedantic? And what are some of the critiques of omniscience; what do we think about these critiques; and, if we think these critiques might be valid, how do we respond to them in our writing?
Over the course of this four-week class, we’ll not only consider these and other questions, we’ll also look closely at examples of omniscient narration, identify some useful techniques and strategies for writing in the omniscient POV, and put some of what we learn into practice through writing and revision exercises. Come prepared to read, write, and discuss.
This class is hybrid. Participants can join via Zoom, but are encouraged to attend in person if possible.
