This is great. I started an idea for a book a few years ago and was getting so stuck on how it would work in the POV area that I abandoned it. I think I need to go take a look again sometime and see if I can wrap my head around it. Appreciate your wealth of knowledge always!
Great article as always good insight and motivation. Thanks for these articles. I've always been a narrator type, as with my photography work I'd have to write a passage for the images for display at galleries or shows. As I started to learn to write, narration was my easiest go to, but was told I needed more dialogue. I am now trying POV kinda with a new series on my Substack. It challenging.
That sounds like a fun way to explore POV, even working through the challenges. Balancing exposition with dialogue is tricky, and as always, there is an exception to every rule. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for sharing your experience. 🤍
I've been sideways with some of the posts lately that I'm seeing because the feel like facebook help ads. I think this piece is well versed and the timing is spot on. Not that I'm any kind of critique or teacher because I'm certainly not. I just wanted to acknowledge that the way you offered this kept it straight forward and wasn't I can teach you ish. Thank you!
This exactly how I’ve been writing The Warden. It started feeling uneven in a way, then I added in one POV chapter and bam, that was it— that’s what it needed. Very satisfying.
Mmhm, oh yes - perhaps this can be explored in a follow-up piece that goes deeper than the more foundational concepts. We love a visceral narrative that wraps its claws around us. :)
Thank you for your perspective on perspectives. This was most helpful. I often worry that my pieces slide in and out of different POVs, but I see why I would do that now.
My prologue (disguised as Chapter 1) and my Epilogue are in first person. The meat of the sandwich is close third person. One is set in the past, the latter set in the future, so it should flow okay.
Yep, I’m a fan of that structure. As long as the POV shift feels intentional and grounded for the reader, and the Prologue is acting as a legit Prologue, that approach can work really well.
In my manuscript I write from the perspective of the protagonist, first person. But I find myself struggling with a flashback sequence for the antagonist. I want readers to get in his head, because ultimately he grows and part of his growth is understanding his traumatic past. I just don’t think 3rd person gives it the same feeling. The struggle is real 😫😫
Thanks for the “lesson.” I have a novel that has been sitting unfinished for years… maybe a change POV could free things up.
It very well could! Thanks for reading. 🙂
This is great. I started an idea for a book a few years ago and was getting so stuck on how it would work in the POV area that I abandoned it. I think I need to go take a look again sometime and see if I can wrap my head around it. Appreciate your wealth of knowledge always!
Oooo, yes! A misbehaving POV can masquerade as poor content or inexperienced writing. You should definitely take another look at it! Pun intended? 😏
Yes! It's like, it felt like a good idea, but then it got confusing! 😅
Makes sense. Send me a few pages if you want some input if you get settled back into working on it.
Great article as always good insight and motivation. Thanks for these articles. I've always been a narrator type, as with my photography work I'd have to write a passage for the images for display at galleries or shows. As I started to learn to write, narration was my easiest go to, but was told I needed more dialogue. I am now trying POV kinda with a new series on my Substack. It challenging.
That sounds like a fun way to explore POV, even working through the challenges. Balancing exposition with dialogue is tricky, and as always, there is an exception to every rule. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for sharing your experience. 🤍
I've been sideways with some of the posts lately that I'm seeing because the feel like facebook help ads. I think this piece is well versed and the timing is spot on. Not that I'm any kind of critique or teacher because I'm certainly not. I just wanted to acknowledge that the way you offered this kept it straight forward and wasn't I can teach you ish. Thank you!
I’m glad this landed in the way I intended it to. Thanks for reading, Jay.
I love how you explain the POV being an emotional regulator, that's an interesting way to look at it. And great tip for re-writing to explore.
Glad it resonated with you. You know me - always seeing things through an emotional lens. ;)
Third person past tense with skillfully & disciplined POV’s mixed in— chefs kiss. 💋 Like that little strip of chocolate in the French croissant. 🥐
This is my personal favorite juicy, lil approach. :)
Oui, oui!
This exactly how I’ve been writing The Warden. It started feeling uneven in a way, then I added in one POV chapter and bam, that was it— that’s what it needed. Very satisfying.
As you know, I’m eagerly awaiting your creation 👀🙃
I'd also like to mention that it's possible to insert your reader directly into nervous system even via 3rd person past tense. 😁
In a way it might even be slightly more effective that way. Visceral.
Mmhm, oh yes - perhaps this can be explored in a follow-up piece that goes deeper than the more foundational concepts. We love a visceral narrative that wraps its claws around us. :)
*cue author smirk*
😏
Thank you for your perspective on perspectives. This was most helpful. I often worry that my pieces slide in and out of different POVs, but I see why I would do that now.
I’m so glad this was helpful! It is really easy to head hop if you aren’t super focused on your POV approach.
How do you feel about mixing them up? My draft starts and end with first person, but the rest of it is all close third.
Do you mean your Prologue and Epilogue are first person? Or Chapter 1 and Final Chapter?
My prologue (disguised as Chapter 1) and my Epilogue are in first person. The meat of the sandwich is close third person. One is set in the past, the latter set in the future, so it should flow okay.
Yep, I’m a fan of that structure. As long as the POV shift feels intentional and grounded for the reader, and the Prologue is acting as a legit Prologue, that approach can work really well.
In my manuscript I write from the perspective of the protagonist, first person. But I find myself struggling with a flashback sequence for the antagonist. I want readers to get in his head, because ultimately he grows and part of his growth is understanding his traumatic past. I just don’t think 3rd person gives it the same feeling. The struggle is real 😫😫