Would you accept alternating types of storytelling in a novel?

1. 61

   JaneMadelyneposted 12 years ago

   Would you accept alternating types of storytelling in a novel?
   
   Do you prefer to have 1 type of storytelling, being the words in a paragraph in a chapter? Or do you enjoy reading the story being (partly) told in a different manner such as (but not limited to): an e-mail (possibly within a picture), a letter, a chatlog, a one-sided or two-sided phonecall transcript, a text message, etc.
   With these alternatives, I don't mean describing "I texted him that I would be late", but the actual text, without too much unnecessary description.
   Would you accept or even enjoy to read these alternative ways of storytelling, or would it put you off?

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2. 76

   Kimberly Vaughnposted 12 years ago

   I do like some alternative methods of storytelling in novels. I think it breaks up the reading and makes it more interesting.

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3. 60

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I have to admit, I do not like those alternatives.  I think (for me) they get in the way of the story.

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4. 84

   M. T. Dremerposted 12 years ago

   For me, it all depends on if the author can do it well, within a context that makes sense for such a format. For example, if your protagonist is piecing together a mystery and they use these things to learn more, then the format could really work. But if the narrative is just jumping all over the place for no apparent reason, it will lose its cohesion and, potentially, its readers.

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