The Writing Process: A POV Q

If you've never been told there is a problem with the POV (point-of-view) from which you write, should you change it? What if the "experts" say it's wrong? (And just who are these "experts" anyway?)

This is a subject I think about a lot. When I started writing, I just wrote the thoughts and actions in my head. It wasn't always the same character's POV for an entire scene. Sometimes, I felt it was necessary to know what was going through the mind of the other person(s) in the room. I never gave much thought to the process itself.

The four books I have out are all written this way. I've never had a complaint about the POV. Even the few 1-star reviews I've received never mentioned a POV that was hard to follow. (Although now that I've said that out loud, I'm sure the next one(s) will, LOL.)

Later, reading back over what I've written, I realize I've done what some experts say is actually acceptable. I usually put a POV neutral paragraph between POV switches, easing the reader into the next POV, many times without their conscious knowledge. This POV is called 3rd person omniscient. Some get it confused with head-hopping. Head-hopping is an entirely different bag of worms and literally leaves the reader's head spinning.

Most writers are influenced by other writers. I admit, I have read many, many traditional Regencies that employ the 3rd person omniscient POV. Perhaps this is holding me back as a writer...?

I am currently editing two more Regencies. I have undertaken the time-consuming task of changing the POV. I am curious to see what the difference will be to my readers. Will the straight-up 3rd person POV be more popular with my readers or will they prefer the omniscient POV I've previously employed?

What do you think? Should a writer change the way they write even if no one complains?

~Photo Friday~ Remember Last Week's Cat...?

So, last week I introduced our new kitty, Louie. Today, here's his girlfriend, Blondie.

That's right, we adopted another cat. She was a stray that we suspect was dropped off at my mom's. (It's happened before and it will happen again. My mom feeds any cat that comes around.)

She's a really nice kitty, around 6-7 months old, we think. It's possible she's just wandered from home but after two weeks and no one coming around asking after a pretty yellow cat, we think she was no longer wanted. And that's ok. We want her and adore her. :o)

~Regency Wednesday~ Vauxhall Gardens

"I came to the gardens with the impression that I was about to see something excelling all other splendid objects which I had hitherto beheld. Nor was I disappointed. For, as we entered, a scene presented itself splendid beyond description, and almost beyond conception, exceeding all that poets have told of fairy lands and Elysian fields."~Benjamin Silliman*

Vauxhall Gardens was just one of the many evening entertainments London had to offer. The Gardens featured everything to tantalize the senses. Visual displays, succulent food, orchestral arrangements and an overall ambiance that could be described exactly as Mr Silliman said, a fairy land.

During the Regency, Vauxhall was known for the fireworks, wafer-thin ham and the dark walks. The Gardens were open from June 4th until the end of August, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. Entrance could be gained with 3 shillings and 6 pence from 1809 to 1850, when the price dropped to 1 shilling. Anyone with the entrance fee was allowed in, regardless of station. It was one of the few places in London where the lower classes could mingle with the upper.

On a fun note, according to the currency convertor on The National Archives site, the entrance fee in 1810 (3s6d) would be approximately equivalent to £5.94 today. In 1850, when the fee changed to 1s, today's spending equivalent would be £2.93.

*Further reading (all link to full view google books and should open in a new window or tab): London and its Environs; or, The General Ambulator, and Pocket Companion for the Tour of the Metropolis and its Vicinity..., 1820; Curiosities of London by John Timbs, 1868; A Journal of travels in England, Holland and Scotland, and of two passages over the Atlantic in the years 1805 and 1806 by Benjamin Silliman, 1812

~Photo Friday~ Our Newest Family Member

Allow me to introduce the newest member of our family.

This is Louie. (He came with the name.) My husband came home last night with this adorable guy. His previous owners were going to take him to the pound so hubby rescued him--despite his allergy to the precious creature.

Louie has made himself at home. He's already house-trained; all I had to do was show him where the litter box was. He loves the kids, even the three-year-old who holds him upside down and throws stuffed animals at him. He is the perfect cat...so far. :o)

Wondering what's going on with Regency Wednesday? I am sorry I have been so lax in my Regency posting. I have a post about Vauxhall Gardens almost complete. I promise to post it on March 24.

Happy reading, writing and blogging!!

~Regency Wednesday~ Art Images

My mind won't cooperate today but it has been too long since the last "Regency Wednesday" post for me to neglect it again. All I seem able to think of is prison hulks and that is such a maddening subject. In compromise, I have decided to post a few photos of some Regency art.

John Constable (1776-1837)

"Col. Thornton, Breaking Cover"

Philip Reinagle (1749-1833)

"Macbeth"

John Martin (1789-1854)

*All pics link to their Wikimedia Commons pages.

Read an Ebook Week (March 7-13)

Before you say anything, yes, I know the precious little redhead is reading a physical book, not an ebook. Still, I think it is an adorable painting.

Now that that's out of the way...

It's that time of year again. It's "Read an Ebook Week" and as usual, Smashwords is up to the task. There is a special going on all week where you can download some great titles for 25, 50, or 100% off! (I have enrolled my books at 50% off. Each one is only $1.48.) And Smashwords makes it easy by including the sale code on each and every participating book page.

Remember, Smashwords is where to go if you want "your ebook. your way." These are DRM-free, people! You can purchase the title you want and download the format you desire. Do you have more than one e-reading device? Great! Buy the book once, download the PDF version for your PC, the .mobi version for your Kindle, and the PDB version for your Palm. There's no need to purchase multiple copies.

Here's a link to get you started (Of course it goes to one of my books. This blog is all about me.): "Read an Ebook Week" at Smashwords

Happy reading!!

Public Domain and Ethics

I use a lot of pics on my blog that are in the public domain. Honestly, my blog is just a fun little blog where I place my thoughts and ask some questions. (OK, I brag sometimes, too. Who doesn't? And there are those links that offer my books for sale.)

But what if I want to use a public domain pic on one of my book covers? Is that allowed? Is it really an "anything goes" type of thing or do some rules of ethics apply?

Why do I ask? I found the perfect painting for an upcoming Regency. (No, it's not the one pictured here.) I really want to use it. The painting was done in 1795-6 and the artist died in 1835. The pic I found is a faithful representation of that two-dimensional work of art. This qualifies it as public domain and, I believe, would also allow me to use it for my cover, should I choose to do so. Is there an ethical reason why I shouldn't? What do you think?

For that matter, does anyone know of a place I can get high resolution photos of Regency art for free or affordable prices? If not, I will stick to using my own photographs on my covers.

Thank you for your time. As always, happy reading, writing, and blogging!

Blog Poll : To Use a Pen Name or Not to Use a Pen Name...

...That is the question.

I suppose, as far as life goes, this question is not important. However, I'm curious as to the readers' (and other authors') views on this matter.

I use a pen name. I've never made a secret of that fact. I'm not trying to hide who I am with my pen name. I'm trying to overcome how common my real name is. There are already plenty of Laura J Millers on Amazon alone. A writer, a few singers, some actresses...and the list goes on. So, forget it. I won't be Laura J Miller, author. (In the spirit of full disclosure, my maiden name is Lyons, I use regencyfreak as a user name for almost everything and sometimes I manage my husband's facebook account--he doesn't play the games, I do.)

My new dilemma is this: As Jaimey Grant, I write Regency romances that are connected. I have recently written a fantasy novel that may actually see the publishing light of day. I'm currently working on another fantasy story, a short this time. I am contemplating the use of a different pseudonym. Which leads into my next blog poll question.

Should authors use multiple pen names?

(Yes. No. Only if the genres differ greatly. I don't think it matters.)

Additional questions for consideration:

As a reader (even if you are also an author), do you like when an author uses different pen names for different genres? Or would you rather have the author use the same name for everything they write? Why?

As an author, do you use different pen names for different genres that you write? Or do you prefer to have the same name on every work? Why?

I would appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Thank you for your time and have a lovely day!