Third-Person-Omniscient POV

If you're still reading this after scanning the title, I'm going to assume you're familiar with this point of view to some extent.

When writing in third person, an author may choose to write in third person limited, or third person omniscient.

Third person limited is exactly that--limited. The author is limited to expressing the point of view of one character per scene or chapter. Some/most argue that this grounds the author and keeps the reader completely aware of which character the thoughts and emotions are coming from.

When an author chooses to use third person omniscient, they allow the reader access to the point of view of any character at any time. Multiple characters express their perceptions within a single scene. It also allows the reader access to happenings before the characters are aware of them. When done skillfully it can result in an effortless page turner that leaves the reader feeling deeply connected to each character in the story.

For example (and no, I'm not equating this example to an effortless page turner):

Jenny was overcome by the urge to kiss Jaxon as they snuggled atop her plush comforter within her room on the second floor. Grabbing the man's face, she forcefully pulled him closer, pressing his lips to hers.

Unable to verbally formulate a response, Jaxon felt his body responding. He'd fantasized of this moment many times over, yet found himself awkwardly intimidated by her aggressive advance.

As the two entangled, neither of them took heed to the cat, Sally. The feline had an uneasy way about her as she paced, mouth a gasp--tasting the air near the thick wooden bedroom door.

The couple was completely unaware that the scrambled eggs Jenny had cooked for Jaxon had resulted in a rapidly expanding grease fire on the floor below.

Yes-Any skilled author could paint this scene using first person or third person limited. However, as a reader, I would like to see more authors experiment with this point of view. I think they could have fun with it.

Here's my issue as a writer. With self-publishing being 'all the rage,' why are the hoards still discrediting the use of third person omniscient in contemporary literature? If an author is investing the additional time and resources to create their own cover, pay for their own editing, and market their material, why do they feel obligated to follow the rules of agents and publishers?

I agree that using any point of view requires practice and skill. How can one practice writing from a certain point of view if they're continuously told through blogs and sites that it's frowned upon in the literary community? That, "Only famous authors are allowed to use that point of view." That's ridiculous. If you as an author want to let me know why Jenny finally gave in to her desire to passionately kiss Jaxon, and in the next sentence tell me how Jaxon felt intimidated while the cat in the room was the only one to notice the fire raging downstairs--do it!

In my opinion, if you're self-publishing, you should follow your own rules. Listen to your readers, not the hoards. Whatever style gets that story in your head into the heads of your readers most effectively-obviously, you should go with that one.