UNTIL MY FIRST BOOK WAS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED, I’d never heard of head hopping, and definitely didn’t know it was a sin. If you’re not sure whether you’re doing it…read on!
So what is head hopping and why should you avoid it?
Head hopping is when a writer jumps or ‘hops’ from one characters point of view to another, within a scene or chapter. The main rationale for outlawing head hopping is that it can confuse the reader. But not everyone agrees. Showing multiple points of view within a scene can share information in a more natural way, revealing thoughts that make even bad guys more sympathetic. If you want to engage your reader, allow him to get inside the character’s heads.
if you decide to try it, understand not just the pros and cons, but how to use it effectively. Here are some good articles on the subject:
The Pros and Cons of Head Hopping – Jennifer Ellis
Head Hopping and Why Writers Shouldn’t Do It – Editor’s Blog
The Official Rules of Head Hopping in Fiction Writing – Randy Ingermanson
A self-admitted book addict, Valerie was the kid with the flashlight under her pillow. A life of travel with exposure to many different cultures led to a pervasive interest in people, with degrees & teaching credentials in Cultural Anthropology & English.