I’ll just mention the basics of point of view. For a more in-depth look at it, check out Lydia K’s post here.
Point of view equals who (character(s)) is telling the story.
1st person: I am telling the story.
2nd person: You are telling the story.
3rd person: He/she/it is telling the story.
There are limited point of views where we’re in the head on one character at a time and omniscient point of views where we know what other characters are thinking or other things in the story that a particular character might not know.
Knowing what point of view you want to write in is so important. Trust me, you don’t want to have to go back and change it. I’ve had to do that with two stories so far. I wrote Once Upon a December Nightmare in first person and changed it all to third. I wrote Virtuoso in third person and in the process of rewriting it into first. If you aren’t sure, I’d consider writing the first chapter in a few different PoVs to see what works for you.
What point of view do you typically write in? Do you consider point of view before you write?
12 comments:
Hi cherie,
Good post, I did the same P. I usually write limited 3rd but I'm writing my latest in First. it's annoying because there's stuff I (the writer) know that the character doesn't and it's tricky finding a way to get the info to the reader.
My POV character is also female so i have to access my feminine side, but what if I can't find my way back, Inception style? Dangerous gig, this writing.
Hi Cherie:
My Gil-Lael stories will all be 3rd person with POV shifts by chapter or scene break. My new novella is 1st person. There was a time I didn't believe I could write 1st person, but when I developed this character it just seems the right choice.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.
Interesting... I just realized that all of my sold stories are in the 3rd person. The two novels I am planning on trying to get an agent with are both in 1st.
I'm like you and some of the other commenters. I mostly third, but am currently switching one story to first.
Sometimes, it helps me to switch POV to get a scene and then switch it back.
I love writing in first person p.o.v. BUT, I would really like to read a book in second person p.o.v. That would be interesting to see how to author figured that out (aside from just using love letters or something like that).
To the point and informative.
I've always written third person limited. Easiest for me to handle.
I'm doing flash pieces for A-Z and am experimenting with different POVs. a good word to choose for P.
Thanks, I always mix them up when I write cause I forget the rules as I go along:-) Stop by & read P is for Purple
I prefer to write in third person, but only from one character's POV in the story. I've done a few short stories in first person, but I find it too distracting to write a whole novel in that POV.
I prefer to write in third person. I have written a few short stories in first person though.
My POV of choice is third person. I did try first person once and while I loved the sense of immediacy it gave to the story, I found it too restrictive.
LOL, no, I don't consider POV when I write. I'm boring and always write in 3rd person limited. Love it!
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