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What is your "Point of View"?
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Hi MayWhat a fascinating blog post! Most of the time POV shifts cause confusion and break up the story. I know one of my favourite authors, Lori Wick does it all the time. It doesn't always jar but when it does, I ignore it as she's such a great story teller anyway.
But I tend to be a hard and fast sticker to POV. You can always show what the other person is feeling through the eyes of the one whose POV you are using.
For e.g.:
She came towards him and could sense the frustration in him by his arched eyebrows and dark pupils. Maybe he was still holding it against her after all these years.
I never replay a scene through both POV's. I move on. Each scene must have a purpose to show what the one character is feeling. Maybe it's because I don't feel confident enough to try a switch without upsetting a reader or a publisher. I'll probably do it when I'm a seasoned writer with many books out there one day.
Lovely food for thought. Thanks.
Kathy Bosman
Author of Wedding Gown Girl and Reminding Me of You.
I don't mind changing point of views! Not too often and suddenly in a chapter but I enjoy it throughout the book. I like seeing the point of view of other characters. Especially in romances. I enjoy reading the hero and heroine POV's (though I am not against having just one view throughout)
I have actually used a point of view shift but I try to be careful. This is what I do. 1) If the character the point of view is through leaves the scene, I feel comfortable switching to the point of view of someone who stays.
2) I sometimes will put a line between to show a break when I don't want to go to a whole new chapter.
3) I actually do tell the same scene if I need some differences, but I limit the detail that has already been told. For example, in both my books "Essence of the Heart, The Royal Tutor" and "The Mail-Order Bride" there is such a difference in how the man and the woman thinks that I feel it is worthy of looking at both.
Basically I think a person has to do what they feel comfortable with, but make sure it is clear to the reader.
Yup! All those work for me in a book and make switching POV's work and good :)
Kathy wrote: "Hi MayWhat a fascinating blog post! Most of the time POV shifts cause confusion and break up the story. I know one of my favourite authors, Lori Wick does it all the time. It doesn't always jar bu..."
I've never read Lori Wick, but I'll give her a try! I've haven't seen POV change done at all in contemorary lit, so I'm excited to read her. Everytime I see it, it's in books written at least thirty years ago or more. It seemed like the hard and fast rule came from no where. I understand being cautious, you're right. But I've seen it done well often enough that I wondered why it's NEVER done anymore.
Soph wrote: "I don't mind changing point of views! Not too often and suddenly in a chapter but I enjoy it throughout the book. I like seeing the point of view of other characters. Especially in romances. I enjo..."I totally agree. ESPECIALLY in romances! There's nothing like a glimpse into the hero's POV, if only for a second. Even in Pride and Prejudice it's all over the place.
"Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger."
I love it!
Daris wrote: "I have actually used a point of view shift but I try to be careful. This is what I do. 1) If the character the point of view is through leaves the scene, I feel comfortable switching to the poin..."
All those are helpful guidelines and will definitely help keep the story clear. It's always fascinating to hear how writers write. And I agree: Do what you're comfortable with and what is clear to the reader. After all, it's your voice, and it has to be genuine or it won't be interesting. So it's going to be different for every writer, and proabaly every reader. It's just intersting to consider. My sis and I write first person, so it's not really fair of us to bring this up. We can only have one POV! :)
That is a great example May!! :D it is in Pride and Prejudice and it does give the story more i think. I just love seeing the heroes feelings as well!!
Thank you for posting this! I think it's very interesting to read other's comments.
I know that when I write, I write whatever seems right for the story. With 1st person, I stick with the character I'm talking about, but in another chapter, I might switch to a completely different character's voice -- or sometimes, another chapter might be in 3rd person, but focusing on a separate character. It really all depends. And then sometimes, I write all 3rd person, and focus on multiple characters, but in different chapters, or in one.
I think that really, whatever seems right is what you should write. If you like the flow and the feel of the story, then there will be readers who will, too, and if you try and write it in a different way just because, it will sound wrong. :)
I know that when I write, I write whatever seems right for the story. With 1st person, I stick with the character I'm talking about, but in another chapter, I might switch to a completely different character's voice -- or sometimes, another chapter might be in 3rd person, but focusing on a separate character. It really all depends. And then sometimes, I write all 3rd person, and focus on multiple characters, but in different chapters, or in one.
I think that really, whatever seems right is what you should write. If you like the flow and the feel of the story, then there will be readers who will, too, and if you try and write it in a different way just because, it will sound wrong. :)
May wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Hi MayWhat a fascinating blog post! Most of the time POV shifts cause confusion and break up the story. I know one of my favourite authors, Lori Wick does it all the time. It doesn't..."
I just started reading another author who switches point of view throughout her book. I found it quite disconcerting myself but her story is gripping. It's Teresa Ashby - The Call of Home. Just to note - Lori Wick is an inspirational romance writer - she writes some historicals and some contemporaries but I think some of her books were written in the early nineties or possibly even eighties before the "rule" came into being.
I don't think I have a preference for books with POV shifts over those without. As long as they're well-written, I like them both. Here are some examples of books/authors I think have handled POV shift well, all published since the year 2000.Mary Connealy writes in close third person, but changes POV between male and female MCs quite frequently in order to capitalize on their differing viewpoints and interpretations for comedic effect--illustrating well just how differently men and women think. She writes Christian "romantic comedies with cowboys," usually set in the Old West, but has a few contemporaries.
Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen is a contemporary setting MG/YA romance, about how the boy and girl learn to get past the surface and become friends, with a promise of something more at the end. It's super-cute--and way better than that description, promise! Chapters alternate 1st person POV, the boy's perspective and version of events in one chapter, then the girl's in the next, but giving insight into their characters and the story as a whole, rather than just rehashing the last chapter. Very cleverly done.
East, by Edith Pattou is a YA fantasy retelling of the fairy tale "East o' the Sun, and West o' the Moon." Each chapter is told by a different character--not just the main two, but some of the supporting characters as well. And one of the characters' chapters is even told in poetry form. If I recall corectly, each character's chapter is moving the story forward, rather than giving the reader interpretations of the same event.
Alexandra wrote: "Thank you for posting this! I think it's very interesting to read other's comments. I know that when I write, I write whatever seems right for the story. With 1st person, I stick with the charact..."
I've read books where the chapters change like that, and it can really work! It's be hard to do, I think, to switch back and forth like that as an author, and I admire it when I see it.
Kathy wrote: "May wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Hi MayWhat a fascinating blog post! Most of the time POV shifts cause confusion and break up the story. I know one of my favourite authors, Lori Wick does it all the time..."
That would make sense then. In books written in the last ten or so years, it's not very common to see POV shift in a scene.
Abigail wrote: "I don't think I have a preference for books with POV shifts over those without. As long as they're well-written, I like them both. Here are some examples of books/authors I think have handled POV s..."How interesting! I can't wait to take a look at them. I see what you mean, it can be done well in many different ways. As long as the writing is good, I think the author has a lot of options. What a great discussion!
I love getting different POV as long as there is a clear indication that the POV is going to change. I was reading a book the other day where the POV would change mid-paragraph and it was hard as a reader to keep track of all the changes. It felt a bit like wipflash chaing POV like that.
I've read books like that, too. It definitely needs to be done well if it's going to be done. I just want more authors to consider it, I guess.
POV changes keep the story interesting, but they have to be clear, and the POV can't bounce around like a tennis ball. Nothing says amateur writer like a bouncing POV! I always indicate a POV switch with a line break. I think it's okay to repeat a scene from a different POV if their different points of view are important to the story.
Jodi wrote: "POV changes keep the story interesting, but they have to be clear, and the POV can't bounce around like a tennis ball. Nothing says amateur writer like a bouncing POV! I always indicate a POV switc..."I also change point of views within a chapter, but always put a good solid paragraph break and usually move onto a new scene.
I have found that one of the most thrilling things while reading a story, especially a romance, is at the end of the scene, and sometimes within it, to get just a glimpse of what the hero is thinking. Oh! It is so satisfying. I don't necessarily want to be in his head for an extended period of time, but when it is done off the cusp and unexpected, I find it adds something very special to the feel of the book. I really find writing fascinating and love to hear everyone's own story of how and why they write the way they do!
I completely agree! It is so pleasing to be able to see into the heroes mind during a romance in particular!!
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