10 Common Mistakes Authors Make with Narrative Distance
What is Narrative Distance?
Narrative distance refers to how close or far the narrator is from the reader, influencing how personally the reader experiences the story. There are five levels of narrative distance, ranging from very close (immediate) to very distant (remote). Now that we have the basics covered, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to my channel for more writing tips. Let’s jump into the 10 common mistakes writers make with narrative distance!
1. Inconsistency
One of the biggest mistakes is switching from close to distant narrative without a clear reason. This sudden shift can confuse readers because they are jolted from being inside a character’s mind to observing from a distance. To avoid this, ensure your changes in narrative distance are purposeful and clear.
2. Overuse of Close Narrative Distance
Overusing close narrative distance can overwhelm your readers. When readers are constantly immersed in a character’s thoughts and emotions, it can become too intense. Think about a time you watched a show and felt overwhelmed by the drama. That’s what happens when a story stays too close to the characters’ emotions without giving the reader a break. Balance is key—allow readers to breathe and process without pulling them too far away.
3. Excessive Distant Narrative
On the flip side, being too distant can detach the reader from the story. If there’s too much distance, readers might struggle to connect emotionally with the characters and events. To keep readers engaged, you need to find a balance that allows them to connect deeply without feeling disconnected from the narrative.
4. Lack of Balance
This brings us to the importance of balance. If your story jumps erratically between too close and too distant without a clear purpose, readers can feel disoriented. There should be a logical flow that guides the reader through varying levels of intimacy with the characters. A balanced approach helps maintain reader interest and keeps them emotionally invested in the story.
5. Ignoring How Narrative Distance Affects the Reader
Always consider how narrative distance affects your readers’ experience. For example, if a major event occurs but you narrate it from a distant perspective, it might not have the intended impact. Conversely, if an event is narrated too closely, it might feel overly dramatic. Be mindful of the emotional distance you want your readers to have from each event in your story.
6. Wrong Narrative Distance for Genre
Different genres require different levels of narrative distance. For instance, a romance novel often benefits from a closer narrative distance to help readers connect with the characters’ emotions, while an action-packed thriller might benefit from a slightly more distant perspective to capture the broad scope of events. Understanding your genre’s needs will help you choose the appropriate narrative distance.
7. Unclear Point of View (POV)
Another common mistake is not clearly establishing the point of view (POV). If the POV is unclear, readers may struggle to understand who is narrating the story and how they should interpret the events. Each level of narrative distance has its unique impact on POV, so clarity is essential to avoid confusing the reader.
8. Overly Descriptive Passages
While some narrative distances allow for more detail, overusing descriptive passages can bog down your story. You don’t need to describe every detail of a scene. Sometimes, less is more. Focus on what’s necessary to convey the mood and advance the plot, and leave the rest to the reader’s imagination.
9. Flat Characters
Characters can fall flat if there isn’t enough variety in narrative distance. If readers don’t get close enough to understand a character’s inner world, the character may feel one-dimensional. Use narrative distance to provide insight into your characters’ thoughts and emotions, making them feel more rounded and relatable.
10. Neglecting Plot Development
Finally, focusing too much on narrative distance can lead to neglecting your plot. Narrative distance is important, but it shouldn’t overshadow the story itself. When writing your first draft, don’t stress too much about perfecting narrative distance. Focus on getting your story down, and fine-tune the narrative distance during revisions.
And that’s it! Those are the 10 common mistakes writers make with narrative distance. Remember, consistency, balance, and understanding your genre and reader impact are crucial. I hope these tips help you refine your writing. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments! I love hearing from you. Thanks for watching, and I can’t wait to connect with you all again soon!
