The Foolscap Method - Step 6 Narrative Device Part 2
Channel: Steven Pressfield
Date: 2023-06-07

The Foolscap Method – Step 6

I started talking last week about Narrative Device – the point of view of the story teller.  I mentioned there is a second part to this and it’s who is the story being told to.
For instance, in my book Last of The Amazons, the story teller is told by an older woman remembering her days as a young girl and seeing the last battles of the race of warrior women, the Amazons.  But, who she is telling the story to is important.  She is basically telling the story to a young group of Athenian women.  Taking them into her confidence, telling them the secrets of the Amazons and telling them they can never share this story with men.  Not their father, their brother, no one.
For me, knowing who she was telling the story to helped me stick with a particular tone.  A tone that would be very different if the story were being told to a group of men.  
Who you’re telling the story to helps you keep a tone.  Jack Carr talks to his audience as if they know everything there is to know about weapons, operations, etc..  He keeps the language at a certain level and expects the reader to keep up.  
I find this is as important as the point of view and it helps me keep the tone of the storyteller consistent.
So – Step 6 of The Foolscap Method is another part of Narrative Device – who is the story being told to.  The point of view of the story teller and who they are telling it to, work hand in hand and you should know both before you start writing.

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Amazons-Novel-Steven-Pressfield/dp/0553382047
https://www.amazon.com/Put-Your-Where-Heart-Wants/dp/B0B553D3FP