Books Quote by Jesmyn Ward
“I have never written a novel that volleys back and forth between a couple of different first person perspectives. It's definitely a challenge because I had to think about who knows what, when do they know it, when are they sharing what they know or what they think they know, how the reader's perspective affects things. Telling the story in that way is challenging. It does require a lot of revision.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2020
Writing multiple first‑person narrators demands careful control of information flow and reader insight, making revision intensive.
In simple terms: Multiple viewpoints need tight control of who knows what.
Key Takeaway
Plan narrator knowledge and revise heavily.
Themes
narrative structure
voice
revision
perspective
complexity
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- editing workshops
- literary criticism
- author workshops
- creative writing classes
Key Concepts
focalization
reliable narrator
information design
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which details each narrator reveals?
- What strategies keep each voice authentic?
A Different Perspective
Balancing distinct voices can confuse readers if not managed.
