POV Characters - Just how many is too many?

Okay y'all....

I need some input. 

I'm working on a fantasy novel that will be about 100k when finished.  How many POV characters do you think is too many?

I've read several books lately that have had so many pov characters it got confusing to keep up with them.  But on the other hand, I've read some lately with multiple POV characters that are excellent. 

So, what do y'all think?  Three, four or more?

Pondering Harry Potter

A couple years ago for Christmas I gave the kids the Harry Potter series of books.  When they orignially came out, they weren't interested but that changed.  Recently though, my son has started rereading the series. 

Which makes me ask... just what is it about HP and the series that is so fascinating? Not only to kids, but adults too.


Is it the characters? I mean, each character is fully fleshed out and practically real. They each have problems, hopes, dreams and things that make them special. They are, dare I say it, people we can relate to in our lives too.

Or is it the plotlines? There's been other stories about magic and wizards. So what makes this one so special?

The setting maybe? I have to admit, Hogwarts is really a cool place. I'd love to go there...not sure if I'd want to stay but definitely visit. When you think about it, Hogwarts is practically a character.

I forget how many agents turned down the first HP book before someone took a chance on it but she kept on until she found that one person.

I don't guess I have any answers for what makes HP such a hit but there are things we can take and apply to our own writing.

First...our characters have to be real. Not only to us, but to our readers. We have to give our reader ways to relate and connect to them. Cause...if the reader doesn't care what happens to our characters, they won't continue reading.

Second...it's not the plot or the idea that's terribly important, it's what we do with it.

Third...our setting should be real to our readers too. If we build a world, it needs to be fully formed and we should know them better than we know our own neighborhood. If we are using a place that already exists....then we need to make sure we get those details right. If we don't, there will be someone who notices. And when they do...they'll stop reading.

Lastly...never give up. Getting our work published isn't easy. But...the process is one we're going to have to deal with if we ever see our writing published.

Actually...I think I know the secret of the Harry Potter series.

It's called "suspension of disbelief." Even though we know there's no such person as Harry and no place like Hogwarts...for just a little while, we can go back to a time when we believed in magic and Harry and Hogwarts do exist.

So...I'm off to ponder what it's going to take to create a little of my own suspension of disbelief.

Monday Goals

It's time to plan for the writing week ahead.  Having some basic goals to aim for gives us direction.  Sure we don't have to follow exactly, especially when the plot bunnies arrive unexpectedly but it's nice to have someplace to start.

So, what's on your agenda for the week?

It's Friday!!!

So, how's your week been?  Did you get the things accomplished that you wanted?

For me...it's been a fun week.  Plot bunny made an unexpected delivery that just had to be written this week since the deadline for submissions is today.  I've just about got it ready to go. Just need to tweak the end a tad.

Novel is going nicely.  Not as much progress as I planned but I got another story finished so can't complain too much.

Plus I've started the last blog I plan to start.  It's an eclectic  mix of writing stuff, contests, conferences, agents, links and whatever catches my fancy.  So, check out  my post on Chex Mix, Writing & Reading.

Glass Woman Writing Contest

Here's a really nice contest for us women writers.  Deadline is Mar. 21st, '10.  Up to 5k with no entry fee and a really, really nice prize.

Guidelines are here.

Quotes

I love writer and writing quotes.  That's one of the things I really like about being on Twitter, I always get new quotes and of course some old favorites.  I've seen this one before but came across it again not long ago.

"I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm inspired at nine o'clock every morning."  Peter DeVries

I've decided to make this my personal motto, goal or what have you.  I'm going to apply this to my daily writing life.  So, starting now, I'll be at the puter, being inspired at 9 o'clock.  (Except Sat. & Sun....a writer's gotta snooze sometime.)

What about you?  Got a favorite quote that inspires you?  How about sharing and if you don't, then feel free to borrow mine.

Friday & Monday Together

I wasn't home much of Friday then got home really late so forgot to get a post up for our Friday praise and update.  Hopefully I'll do better this Friday...it takes me a while to get in a new routine.

So, how'd you do last week?  Get what you wanted accomplished?

And what are your plans for this week?  I've got to rearrange  a few things but I'll post my goals Monday for sure.


Also, I mentioned anthology markets in my comment on the previous post.  Which reminded me I posted four spec. fiction anthology markets on my "Troll Bridge" blog the other day.  Stop by and check them out.

I'll be posting another contest there tonight so if you write Inspirational, you might want to check it out.