Choosing a point of view for your novel
Have you ever debated with yourself over which point of view (pov) to write your novel? I know I have. Personally I feel more comfortable writing in first person point of view, but there are many writers who prefer third. I’ve written stories in both points of view and I have found that while my overall writing is better in third person, my characters are better in first person.
Many authors believe writing in first person makes the story more intimate because the reader is given access to the main character’s thoughts and feelings. Third person gives the reader a larger scope and is good for world building and telling the story on a larger scale.
But maybe you’re unsure which point of view to use. Here are a few helpful tips to help you decide:
First Person POV
First person point of view refers to the I, we, me, my, mine, us narrator. Readers get to view the novel from one character’s perspective. While this limits the scope to one character throughout the story and readers only see through his/her eyes, if done well it can be good for showing the main character’s growth and change during the story.
Advantages:
• There is one focus throughout the story: the narrator’s. • It creates an opportunity for the author to establish a distinctive voice.
Disadvantages:
• The reader’s perspective is only what the narrator can see, hear, feel, etc. • The narrator must constantly be in the scene and anything that happens outside of his/her sight is difficult to relay to the reader.
Bestselling examples of First Person POV:
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer
MALICE examples of First Person POV:
Drain Me by Lana Sky
The Perrenial Chaos series by Imogen Isles
Halcyon by Alice Willoughby
The Purgatory Series by Katrina Crane
Third Person Point of View:
Third person point of view refers to the he, she, it, they, them narrator. While first person point of view is common in Young Adult fiction, most other fiction is written in third person. Third Person POV allows the reader to follow more than one character and have more than one perspective.
Advantages:
• This point of view allows for multiple viewpoints. • You can broaden the scope of your story as you move between settings
Disadvantages:
• If you try to use too many different voices your story can become confusing and muddled • Readers can tend to feel less invested in the characters and story if it shifts around too much
Bestselling examples of Third Person Point of View:
Harry Potter by JK Rowling
Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
MALICE examples of Third Person POV:
The Wolfstate Chronicles by Bella Johnson
Whichever point of view you decide to use, make sure you truly believe it is the best way to tell your story. It’s very possible your story could work in both points of view, but you will often find one way communicates the story better than the other. Choose wisely and get to work writing that awesome story!