Hi,

I am sure this is a stupid question but it is bugging me so I'll ask it anyway. I am writing my novel in the third person but for chapters that introduce a new character, I have opted to go straight into the character's voice via a monologue that sets them up in terms of character, view point and in some cases motivation. Sometimes the monologue is very long (eg a speech) at other times it is a few paragraphs linking the character to the previous chapter in some way.

My question is, does this seem like a sensible way to go about things and second, does anyone know of any other books that work in this way? I would be really grateful for any insights. S

It can work. Maybe place it in italics to separate it from the rest of the text.
One thing to avoid: Don't make it an information dump, ie. boring the reader with the character's backstory.
In such cases I prefer to read an anecdote - funny or poignant - which gives a clue to the person's motivations or character.

- NaomiM

Shika, hi there!

It sounds perfectly sensible to me. I think Naomi's idea of setting it off with italics is a good one, because the reader won't be expecting it, and will need alerting to its being a different kind of narration from the rest of the chapter. Can't think of any precedents, but I'm sure someone will!

Emma

Thanks Naomi and Emma. Emma, I met your lovely editor the other day. She had loads of good things to say about TMOL.x

Yes, she is lovely, isn't she. I know if I met her at a party I'd still think that, but it does no harm to our relationship that she's such a fan of TMOL's.

Emma