Shifting Perspective

By Kristine John

Stephenie did it.
So did Orson.
And then again, so did Gregory.

I speak of telling a story from a different perspective.
Stephenie Meyer told the story of Twilight from Edward's perspective in the unpublished Midnight Sun.
Orson Scott Card used the Ender series to publish Bean's story as well as Ender's story.
Gregory Maguire wrote Wicked, the popular novel, that has now been adapted into the Broadway musical by the same name.

Clearly shifting perspective isn't a new or unusual writer's tool, but how often do we practice writing as if the lens on our story has been refocused and changed to another character altogether?

Try it and see what changes in your story.