This is a topic discussed by authors quite often and no more so than among romance novelists. First person? Third Person? I even read a historical novel recently in 2nd. And then once that is settled, you must decide whose perspective each scene will take place in. Now we come to the dilemma. Is it all right to switch POV within a scene—from hero to heroine and even among the secondary characters?
I have to admit I am a stickler for POV shifts. I find it very disturbing to switch from one person’s head to the next. When I began learning the ins and outs of writing, specifically in the romance genre, this was a big no-no. Regardless, I have been finding more and more authors breaking this rule. Sometimes it is done so seamlessly between hero and heroine that you hardly notice. These are the good authors. Other times, I find the author is a major head-hopper, skipping from hero to heroine and back again and then over to this side character and into another—like an alien body snatcher who can’t make up his mind. And you the reader find yourself confused, wondering who the heck you are supposed to be following.
This isn’t so much of an issue in other genres, but in romance, it’s all about the emotions—a sensual experience. Meaning, you experience the scene through all the senses and get wrapped up in the emotion of the scene through a particular character. If you switch from character to character, how is that supposed to happen?
In my books and stories, I make it very clear when I am switching from one character to the next. It will only happen between the hero and heroine and only at scene breaks. Why am I discussing this on my NovelTea Blog? The reason is because I am working out the details to the 3rd book: NovelTea Takes a Holiday.
The NovelTea stories have always been told in 1st person. I like that perspective. It lets me get close to them and share more with the reader than might be done in 3rd. In A Night of NovelTea, the story is told from Juliet’s point of view, and in NovelTea Next Door, the action follows Grant. I’ve had to decide how to tell this next story. And the answer I’ve come up with is that I want to tell it from both their perspectives. I know Juliet and Grant well enough now that I believe it can be done. What can be done, you might ask? Write this story in first person from both the hero and heroine’s POV.
This could be very tricky, and I know several authors who’ve told me they would never attempt it. But I like the idea and challenge of it. By doing this, I can tell the story as they both see it, and build this relationship that they’ve started to a higher peak. And you can be sure that my change of point of view will be quite delineated. More than ever the reader could be confused on who is speaking and what is going on if they don’t know whose perspective they are in.
It is one of those things we, authors, will argue over into the ages. Point of View. But my ‘view’ on the subject hasn’t changed. Strict adherence to point of view changes is important. It makes your writing stronger, your story better and your readers will love you for it.
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7 comments:
I love the sound of this, Cindy! I did try POVs from both main characters once, and you are right it is triiicky! I found the best way was chapter on chapter. Trouble is, who goes first!? :)
xx
This blog is awesome, Cindy, and I know you'll get the POV's just right. Sure will be interesting to see things from both of their perspectives!
MM
Sheryl, I know exactly who will go first. ;) Not tellin' yet though.
Thanks Lula! I'm really looking forward to it. It should spark my creativity.
Interesting post, Cindy, and a subject I've certainly heard much discussion about, not to mention had much agony over.
Cindy,
I read a story once (unpublished)in which the author used two first-person POV's. Personally I found it very confusing and frustrating to read, eventhough her POV changed at a new chapter and in a different setting. I found it especially confusing when the H/H were in the same scene. Of course that's just my opinion. I prefer third person for more than one POV.
Kathy
Hi Kathy! I agree that the two 1st person POV's could be confusing and even tricky. That's the challenge. I wouldn't try it for a full length novel but it should be fun in a miniature.
I write in 3rd person (except for a mystery short story that just 'happened' but it isn't romance). I also am a POV 'purist' preferring to keep the emotional connection with the characters as strong as possible.
But I do write my novels from both hero and heroine's POV's. I write 'deep POV' and it's virtually the same as 1st person as far as being in the character's head. A good 'test' for this is to see if you can go back and substitute "I" for "He" or "She" in the scene. If you're truly in a deep POV, you can. But the he/she makes the switches easier for the reader to follow, I think.
First person is tough because you're limited to only what that character can see/feel/hear, etc., and you have to be with the character all the time. Lots of mysteries are written this way, and I like it in that genre, because I like to 'ride along' as the protagonist solves the puzzle.
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