Comments on: Head-hopping – what is that all about? #MondayBlogs #editing

By: Georgia Rose

Georgia Rose — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 18:15:15 +0000

In reply to Andrew Moore. I have, but I don't remember that. I'll maybe go back and have another look. Thanks, Andrew :-D

By: Andrew Moore

Andrew Moore — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 12:47:04 +0000

Have you read “The girl on the train”? So much head hopping I was dizzy until I stopped reading it. The time jumping didn’t help. All very clever I’m sure, but hey give us a break!

By: Georgia Rose

Georgia Rose — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 18:40:05 +0000

In reply to Jeanne M Felfe. How interesting, Jeanne. I don't think I've ever read a book with head-hopping in it but having tasted it in one chapter of mine I can understand how irritating it can be. Thanks for adding your experience here.

By: Jeanne M Felfe

Jeanne M Felfe — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 15:11:13 +0000

I used to be the Queen of the head-hop. My first editor not only helped me correct those, but taught me the difference. Now when I read, or beta read or edit for someone else, it jumps off the page at me. And I have no problem keeping them all straight even though I always write multi-POV stories. If done by chapter, it’s fairly easy to keep straight.

I recently gave up on an author because of head hopping. I’d read one of her earlier books and wrote it off to her not knowing any better. However, I picked up one of her current titles and had to stop 1/3 of the way it. I simply could not abide the head hopping. It was ruining the story.

By: Georgia Rose

Georgia Rose — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 08:47:28 +0000

In reply to Linda Huber. What a great tip! Thanks, Linda, that's much appreciated. I shall go and colour code straight away. :-)

By: Linda Huber

Linda Huber — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 07:26:05 +0000

I always have at least two POV characters, and I use colour to help me keep inside the correct head while I’m writing . So Joe’s chapters/sections are all blue, John’s are red, Jill’s are green and so on. It makes for a nice multi-coloured ms! It helps too when I want to go back and check or add something – the colour-coding helps me navigate. 🙂