On Writing (and life): Perspective

per·spec·tive

noun

1. 1.

   the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.

   "a perspective drawing"
2. 2.

   a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Today I'm talking about the second part of perspective's definition...that idea of changing our way of looking at something.  That idea of changing our point-of-view, POV.

Writers spend a great deal of time thinking about POV. Each character we write has one that's distinctly their own.  When I'm writing that character, I try not to see the world through my eyes, but rather through their eyes.  

Maybe they've suffered a loss, like the heroine in Just One Thing...that will color how they see the world.  

Maybe they've cleaned a murder scene, like Quincy in the Maid in LA series.  That definitely colors her perspective. 

Perspective...it's something I spend a lot of my 'working' day thinking about.  I want each character to ring authentic in a story, so I have to think about it. 

And I think that first part of the definition really is applicable as well.  I'm trying to build a fully three-dimensional person on a two dimensional page and "give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point."

(I'm pretty pleased with that particular insight to be honest.  It will give me something to think about today as I write.)

But that idea of perspective is important in real life, too.  It's easy to get stuck in a rut.  To think or act in a particular way without thought.  That's when changing your perspective and looking at the world from a different angle makes sense.  

So some days, I change things up and work somewhere else.  Now that the weather is nice, I try to spend a day or two each week working at camp (there's a video of my view in a sec).  Sometimes I give myself a Day of Beauty to remind myself that not matter what's going on, the world is amazing.

But sometimes it's more than that.  Sometimes, as I try to understand someone, I try to put myself in their shoes.  I try to see the world through their POV and that...that can change my own.  

I think the world would be a better place—and filled with a lot more glee—if everyone took a moment to try to understand where someone else is coming from.  And even if we'll never agree with them (I don't agree with every character I write) we can understand them better. And once you understand someone, it's easier to accept them—accept them and love them.

That's why I write romance. Because that need to be loved and accepted is universal.  It's something that speaks to me as a writer, and hopefully speaks to you all as readers.

That's my thought on writing—and life—today!

And while I have you here, I want to thank everyone who took a moment to offer me and Ella condolences on losing Ethel. We both appreciate it more than you can know, and your concern gave us solace.

Holly

Here's my writing view at camp yesterday.  We're going to start the stone behind the woodstove soon!

PS.
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