Omniscient Point of View

Sue from The Writers Company talks about the Omniscient Point of View. Below is a shortened script.

So, what is the Omniscient POV?
The omniscient POV is often referred to as ‘God-like’.
The narrator, who tells the story, knows all and sees all. This includes what each character is thinking, feeling and their memories.
Sometimes the narrator remains anonymous and, in the background, other times the narrator is a character.
The easiest way to explain this POV is to give you some examples:

So, when might you use the Omniscient POV?
• Perhaps you have a sleuth trying to solve a mystery?
With the Omniscient POV, you can decide how much your characters know and this can be used to create suspense. [magnifying glass appears]

Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, utilises this POV and as a result we know all the characters fears and dirty secrets. In addition, because the narrator, in this case, is objective (unbiased), the reader has the chance to decide themselves whether the anonymous narrator is correct in their assumptions, or not.
• Perhaps you might be writing a family saga?
The omniscient POV can be useful if you have complicated timelines and relationships. Jane Austen uses this POV in Pride and Prejudice to subtly comment on her characters.
• Perhaps you are writing a fantasy or speculative story, where more than one viewpoint might help you to world build?
Using the omniscient POV allows the author to move easily within time and space and describe the surroundings, with descriptive language only an author, rather than a character would use.
• Perhaps you are writing a story set in a small town or other closed environment?
Using the omniscient POV allows the reader to learn about all the inhabitants, their backstories, their feelings, their thoughts and their complex relationships.


So, what else is the Omniscient POV useful for?
• An omniscient narrator can divulge information about the future that the characters within the story might not know. This is useful for foreshadowing events.
• You can even use your own voice (the authorial voice) as the narrator. Readers often presume the narrator is the author, if they’re anonymous. You might decide to make your narrator funny, or serious. However you decide to tell the story, your omniscient narrator should stay in the background

So, what are some of the pros and cons of using the Omniscient POV?
Pros
• You are not confined to telling the story through a single character
• It can be useful for exploring complicated relationships between characters
• You can share details of the plot and story that your characters may not be aware of, which can lead to suspense.
• You can move easily through time and location.

Cons
• It can be hard to achieve and lead to a feeling of head hopping if not done properly, which can be confusing for the reader
• If can feel be fragmented and unconvincing
• It can be difficult to insert tension because the narrator has access to everything
• The focus on multiple characters—their thoughts and feelings—can feel less immersive.

Why not try this point of view out for yourself?
If you need inspiration, further examples of novel that use this POV are:
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
Neil Gaiman’s Stardust [stars appear]

I hope this short video from the Writers Company has been useful. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Or for information on our courses and services, go to www.thewriterscompany.co.uk