Picking a POV

[Nikki Katz]

I'm curious to know how all of you picked your POVs and why!  For my two completed novels, they are both in 1st Person. I wanted to stay inside their head, give their snarky comments and thoughts, and it was just easier for me to write.  For my third book I'm contemplating trying a third person approach, although when I wrote a short story I found it rather difficult!

Anyway, here are some interesting articles on Pros and Cons of writing in the various POVs:

Pros and Cons of Narrating in First Person
An interesting take on when to use each POV and the pros and cons.

"When choosing a point of view, the author should first experiment by writing a few passages in first person, then change them to third and
see which feels the most natural for the unique story they are trying
to tell."
[More]


First Person vs. Third Person POV
This article compares and contrasts the differing POVs.

"One of the biggest benefits of first-person POV is the opportunity to fully embody a single character, to give the audience a glimpse at the character’s innermost thoughts and feelings, even when those
thoughts and feelings are hidden from other characters. It also allows
you to develop the character’s personality not just through his actions
but also through his voice, his storytelling style.

At the same time, first-person POV suffers from a few drawbacks. If readers don’t love your character’s voice and storytelling style, they might be turned off. They might not empathize with your character as
much as they would have if they’d been offered the distance that comes
with third-person limited POV instead."

[More]

And I also found this interesting article that tasks you to rewrite a scene from First Person to Third Person (I'm sure it could be taken vice-versa) to see if you like it better!   I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and if they changed their mind?

[Sheri Larsen]

Hi Nikki,
This is a great topic. It really is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, but then again no one should stress out about it either. I know for me, 1st person seemed more natural. I could embody my character as I wrote and developed. But for my second ms, I wanted to tell more, give more angles. I found 1st person doesn't allow for adjusting the angle. So I decided--after I had written almost half--to rewrite it in 3rd personal close. I've been able to give the reader the story through multiple character's eyes, yet still give them a close glimpse into my main protagonist. James Scott Bell has a great book about that, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure. You may have already heard about it. He explains it wonderfully.

It was an adjustment, though, switching persons. I'm writing the sequel to this one now, while tinkering with a MG series in first person. I have to be careful to tell my brain to flick the switch. It's kind of a nice challenge.

Another thing, too, is that some stories just read better in one person as opposed to another. That is where trial and error comes into play. You simply have to try it, knowing at least some of the direction you intend on taking your story.

[Nikki Katz]

That's interesting that you switched halfway through! I have not yet tried writing a scene in third person, but I probably should, just for the heck of it :)

Have you read 'Skin Hunger'? That novel alternates between two different characters - one in first person and one in third person. It was jarring every time I came back to the first person character.

[Sheri Larsen]

No. I have to get it. The concept of writing in both persons in the same book fascinates me. I really need to learn to take the easier road sometimes. Ayah!!

Yeah, the whole switch from one person halfway through was tough. But honestly, I hadn't written in fourteen years. Long story. I'll save it for another day. It was great practice for me. Kind of like a personal exercise to hone my craft. But don't think I didn't feel like pulling out my hair!

Nikki Katz said:

That's interesting that you switched halfway through! I have not yet tried writing a scene in third person, but I probably should, just for the heck of it :)

Have you read 'Skin Hunger'? That novel alternates between two different characters - one in first person and one in third person. It was jarring every time I came back to the first person character.

[Christina Lee]

You'r doing a great job over here, Nikki! I used first person with my first manuscript and then for two subsequent ones I never finished. For my newest one I am about to query, I changed to third person, limited. Once I got the hang of it, it just felt right. I still find mistakes using "I" or present tense, though--LOL! I think third person limited is similar to first person b/c you are still in the protags head, and have to use "appeared" or "seemed" to refer to others in the scene (At least that was what I was told). But I like that I can describe a scene from a step back and still have the protag share his internal thoughts as well. let us know if you try it!

[Sheri Larsen]

Christina, I agree totally, and I too find myself on occasion using the wrong tense. But like you said, once you get the hang of it you find you have more freedom. Great comment.

Christina Lee said:

You'r doing a great job over here, Nikki! I used first person with my first manuscript and then for two subsequent ones I never finished. For my newest one I am about to query, I changed to third person, limited. Once I got the hang of it, it just felt right. I still find mistakes using "I" or present tense, though--LOL! I think third person limited is similar to first person b/c you are still in the protags head, and have to use "appeared" or "seemed" to refer to others in the scene (At least that was what I was told). But I like that I can describe a scene from a step back and still have the protag share his internal thoughts as well. let us know if you try it!

[Christina Lee]

Thanks! Now I want to get Bell's book too!

Sheri Larsen said:

Christina, I agree totally, and I too find myself on occasion using the wrong tense. But like you said, once you get the hang of it you find you have more freedom. Great comment.

Christina Lee said:

You'r doing a great job over here, Nikki! I used first person with my first manuscript and then for two subsequent ones I never finished. For my newest one I am about to query, I changed to third person, limited. Once I got the hang of it, it just felt right. I still find mistakes using "I" or present tense, though--LOL! I think third person limited is similar to first person b/c you are still in the protags head, and have to use "appeared" or "seemed" to refer to others in the scene (At least that was what I was told). But I like that I can describe a scene from a step back and still have the protag share his internal thoughts as well. let us know if you try it!

[Nikki Katz]

Interesting point - I may have to try it :) I also want to try present tense for my next one... not sure how that will work out!

Christina Lee said:

You'r doing a great job over here, Nikki! I used first person with my first manuscript and then for two subsequent ones I never finished. For my newest one I am about to query, I changed to third person, limited. Once I got the hang of it, it just felt right. I still find mistakes using "I" or present tense, though--LOL! I think third person limited is similar to first person b/c you are still in the protags head, and have to use "appeared" or "seemed" to refer to others in the scene (At least that was what I was told). But I like that I can describe a scene from a step back and still have the protag share his internal thoughts as well. let us know if you try it!

[Christina Lee]

Oohh, keep us posted! Lisa McMann does third person present tense for her Wake trilogy. Good Luck!

Nikki Katz said:

Interesting point - I may have to try it :) I also want to try present tense for my next one... not sure how that will work out!

Christina Lee said:

You'r doing a great job over here, Nikki! I used first person with my first manuscript and then for two subsequent ones I never finished. For my newest one I am about to query, I changed to third person, limited. Once I got the hang of it, it just felt right. I still find mistakes using "I" or present tense, though--LOL! I think third person limited is similar to first person b/c you are still in the protags head, and have to use "appeared" or "seemed" to refer to others in the scene (At least that was what I was told). But I like that I can describe a scene from a step back and still have the protag share his internal thoughts as well. let us know if you try it!

[Nikki Katz]

I actually just finished reading Gone on Friday!

Christina Lee said:

Oohh, keep us posted! Lisa McMann does third person present tense for her Wake trilogy. Good Luck!

Nikki Katz said:

Interesting point - I may have to try it :) I also want to try present tense for my next one... not sure how that will work out!

Christina Lee said:

You'r doing a great job over here, Nikki! I used first person with my first manuscript and then for two subsequent ones I never finished. For my newest one I am about to query, I changed to third person, limited. Once I got the hang of it, it just felt right. I still find mistakes using "I" or present tense, though--LOL! I think third person limited is similar to first person b/c you are still in the protags head, and have to use "appeared" or "seemed" to refer to others in the scene (At least that was what I was told). But I like that I can describe a scene from a step back and still have the protag share his internal thoughts as well. let us know if you try it!

[Christina Lee]

Too funny! I haven't bought it yet--I was bummed it wasn't available on my Kindle for iphone app. (that's how I read the other two). I SOOO can't wait to read it! I also like how she writes choppy--it is similar to my style, so it gives me hope :-)

Nikki Katz said:

I actually just finished reading Gone on Friday!

Christina Lee said:

Oohh, keep us posted! Lisa McMann does third person present tense for her Wake trilogy. Good Luck!

Nikki Katz said:

Interesting point - I may have to try it :) I also want to try present tense for my next one... not sure how that will work out!

Christina Lee said:

You'r doing a great job over here, Nikki! I used first person with my first manuscript and then for two subsequent ones I never finished. For my newest one I am about to query, I changed to third person, limited. Once I got the hang of it, it just felt right. I still find mistakes using "I" or present tense, though--LOL! I think third person limited is similar to first person b/c you are still in the protags head, and have to use "appeared" or "seemed" to refer to others in the scene (At least that was what I was told). But I like that I can describe a scene from a step back and still have the protag share his internal thoughts as well. let us know if you try it!

[Dawn Embers]

For me, it depends on the book. Most of my writing is in third person because it seems more appropriate. And, to be honest, as a reader I'm not fond of first person. I am very reluctant to purchase and read books that are doing in first person, but my favorite genre is epic fantasy (which should not be done in first person). The series I'm working on the first novel rewrite was originally in first person. I did a practice with both and decided, at that time, the first person sounded better. What I do like about the pov is the experiential element; that the reader experiences what the main character does in a way. However, the series, now that I know more about it, calls for multiple main characters once the different series intertwine and I'm not confident in first person enough to do more than main character in that pov. So, I'm changing it to third person in rewrite and it's really helping the word count length.

Also, I like the ability to have more than one main character. I have one I'm working on the first draft right now where there are two main characters (angel and demon) and I can't imagine it working in first person. I read some chapters of a friend who was doing more than one main character first person and it was hard to get invested in either of the characters. I ended up more confused than anything else.

I still have a couple of ideas that I want to do in first person. They are single book ideas, as opposed to series, and will work well with that pov. One is a book about a supernatural cult and the other is a fictional memoir of a unique assassin. Fun times.

[Maria D]

If readers don’t love your character’s voice and storytelling style, they might be turned off. They might not empathize with your character as much as they would have if they’d been offered the distance that comes
with third-person limited POV instead.

That exact issue intimidated me as far as first-person writing went for years. And there have been several novels I've read which I would have loved if they'd been written in third person POV instead. That said, I've tried to keep an open mind, understanding that some stories work better with different POVs. I tried that trick, writing the same story in different POVs to see which worked better, and it really helped me a lot. Right now I have a short story that's in third-person, and a novel in first. For the novel, writing it in both POV's really showed me that, for this story, it makes more of an impact seeing how the MC experiences events in her own mind, rather than from the outside.