Comments on: How POV Affects Character

By: Vonna Carter

Vonna Carter — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:32:59 +0000

POV is a never-ending discussion in my critique group. It is vital to pick the right POV for each story.

By: Vonna Carter

Vonna Carter — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:16:45 +0000

POV is such a vital issue. My WIP started out alternating first (protagonist) and third (antagonist), then changed to only first person before I found the true voice: third person, with the character I had originally planned as the antagonist now taking the part of the hero MC. Whew!

By: Amber Tidd Murphy

Amber Tidd Murphy — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:11:56 +0000

Great post! I am looking forward to the follow-up on third omniscient.

By: annastan

annastan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:07:40 +0000

Laura, isn’t writing so much easier when you’re just starting out and you think you know everything? Oh well… I have a hard time with first person female characters too. In fact, I find boys much easier to write for some reason. I’m not sure what that says about me.

Thanks Joanna! Sounds like your dual first person experiment is working out well so far. I’m doing a dual third person right now and it’s so much fun to hear what they two characters are thinking about each other!

By: Joanna

Joanna — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:05:57 +0000

Another great POV post! My current WIP alternates between two first-person narrators, which is something I’ve never done before. It’s challenging and interesting, and I’m having a lot of fun being inside two different characters’ heads.

By: Laura Pauling

Laura Pauling — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:41:45 +0000

I see pov as a tool. Once I decide on the tone for my story that usually dictates whether first or 3rd person is necessary. The biggest challenge I find is having a strong female mc that is likeable. Because without the right balance she/he comes across mean or bossy. Same with a shy character – he/she can come across wimpy. Not easy. When I first started writing it was all so easy!

By: annastan

annastan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:30:26 +0000

Sherrie, that is a big decision! I know in those situations I tend to go with what I’m more comfortable with (3rd person) but it’s always fun to try something different. Good luck!

By: Sherrie Petersen

Sherrie Petersen — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:10:11 +0000

I’m trying to decide right now what POV to use for a book I just finished outlining. Most books in the genre are 3rd person and they offer multiple POVs. I’m wondering if I should follow the crowd or try it in 1st person. Decisions, decisions…

By: annastan

annastan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:55:21 +0000

Andrea, I think you’re right that people often assume first person is easy (when it’s usually far from it). Interesting point about your students writing in first because they can essentially channel their own thoughts. It might be fun for them to write, but I wonder how often it leads to a compelling story.

Marcia, I agree that first person can get very chatty so that it keeps things from actually happening in the story. If the narrator is particularly likable, this can still work, but a lot of times we want the character to stop talking and get to the story already!

By: marcia

marcia — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:41:17 +0000

Great post! I agree that POV choice has more to do with the character than the writer. I’d add that one of the pitfalls of first is that there’s a tendency to stall the action while the character just yaks — tell rather than show, in other words.