Choosing the Right Point of View to Write Your Book In
👋 Hey, I’m Erika and welcome to a 🔒 subscriber-only edition 🔒 of the Xulon Press Substack. Each week, I publish articles on Tuesdays, Thursdays, (and now) Sundays! We tackle all things about writing a book, including the actual writing process, publishing and self-publishing preparation, and pre-marketing and selling your book.
Selecting the right point of view (POV) to write your book in is a big decision that can have a significant impact on the reader’s experience. The POV you choose shapes your book’s narrative and determines how the story is presented to readers. There are many points of view commonly used in writing, and each one offers unique advantages and challenges. Let's explore each POV you can use:
1. First Person POV
Writing in first person establishes a deep emotional connection between readers and the narrator, which enhances the overall reading experience. When you tell the story through the protagonist’s perspective (or write a memoir in first person), you’ll frequently use "I" and "we" pronouns. First person POV pulls the reader into the narrative and immerses them in the character's (or your) thoughts, experiences, and feelings.
Why Write in First Person POV?
When we write in the first person, we provide readers with a unique ability to immerse themselves in the story and view it from the protagonist’s perspective. When you adopt this style, you create a strong bond between the reader and the narrator. As a result, the reader can form a deep connection with the story and fully engage with the emotions and experiences as they are told from the main character’s POV. First person POV is also what you’d use to write a memoir or autobiography.
Example of First Person POV
I stood at the back of the boat, staring out into the endless blue water. My heart raced, and my palms grew sweaty with anticipation. I took a deep breath and jumped in, feeling the warmth of the water as it engulfed me.
2. Second Person POV
Using second person POV directly addresses the reader as "you." This POV technique isn’t widely used in fiction, however, and writers who do use it and try to solicit their book for traditional publishing often don’t find representation. Why? The second person POV isn’t the easiest POV form for readers to get used to. It often only works best in short stories, self-help books, or educational online articles.
Why Don’t Writers Use Second Person POV?
Second person POV is not commonly used, as we mentioned, because it directly addresses readers as “you,” which can feel confrontational or make readers feel as if the author is talking down to them. It also limits the perspective and distance between the reader and the narrative. Writers often prefer to use first- or third person POV to create a more traditional and immersive storytelling experience.
Example of Second Person POV
As you stand at the back of the boat, you stare out into the endless blue water. Your heart races, and your palms grow sweaty with anticipation. You take a deep breath and jump in, feeling the warmth of the water as it engulfed you.
3. Third Person POV
In third person POV, the story is narrated by an outside observer. There are also three variations of third person POV that writers can choose from. They are:
Third Person Omniscient
This variation of third person POV gives the narrator an all-knowing perspective, which enables them to have access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters involved in your story. With this level of insight, the narrator can provide a detailed and multi-dimensional viewpoint of all events and characters within your narrative.
Why Write in Third Person Omniscient?
When you write in the third-person omniscient POV, you get to explore the innermost thoughts and emotions of every character in your story. This storytelling technique provides understanding of characters’ motivations, and it also gives you as the writer the ability to craft a narrative that is intricate and has multiple layers. When you use this writing perspective, you immerse readers into a world where various characters’ perspectives intertwine.
Example of Third Person POV
He stood at the back of the boat, staring out into the endless blue water. His heart raced, and his palms grew sweaty with anticipation. He took a deep breath and jumped in, feeling the warmth of the water as it engulfed him.
Third Person Limited Omniscient
Unlike the previous variation, third person limited omniscient means the narrator's perspective is reduced to one specific character or a select few. This allows you as the writer to delve into the thoughts and emotions of those chosen characters, so readers gain a deeper understanding of their motivations, desires, and internal struggles. But that means your readers aren’t privy to all your characters thoughts, feelings, and internal struggles.
Why Write in Third Person Limited Omniscient?
Writing in third person limited omniscient narrows the perspective to one specific character or a select few characters of your choosing. This means you control exactly what information you do and don’t deliver to readers. By delving deep into the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of your protagonist, readers often form a stronger connection with the main character. This narrative technique, however, also allows you to add glimpses into the lives and motivations of other characters, which provides a broader understanding of your story’s world.
Example of Third Person Limited Omniscient POV
He stood at the back of the boat, staring out into the endless blue water. His heart raced, and his palms grew sweaty with anticipation. Taking a deep breath, he jumped, feeling the warmth of the water as it engulfed him. As he descended, thoughts of his past mistakes flashed through his mind.
Third Person Objective
The last variation of third person POV uses a more objective and detached approach. The narrator presents the story through an unbiased focus and solely shares the observable actions and dialogue of the characters. So, readers will not have access to any of your character's thoughts, emotions, or personal motivations. This style adds a sense of mystery and suspense because the reader must solely rely on characters’ actions and words to interpret intentions and emotions.
Why Write in Third Person Objective?
Writing in third person objective—also known as third person dramatic or third person external—uses a detached perspective. When you write in this narrative style, you are only able to share the actions and dialogue of the characters. You don’t provide any insights into their internal thoughts or emotions.
When you use third person objective, readers must form their own interpretations and conclusions based solely on the observable events you include in the story.
Example of Third Person Objective
The figure stood at the back of the boat, surveying the vast expanse of blue water. Without hesitation, they leaped, embracing the thrill of the descent into the water. Water rushed past their face as gravity pulled them down.
How to Create a POV
When choosing a POV for your book, consider the following factors:
What’s Typical for Your Genre?
Each genre often has established conventions when it comes to points of view. Study books in your genre to understand what is typically used and learn how it can enhance your storytelling.
What Type of Complexity Do You Want in Your Writing?
Points of view offer varying degrees of complexity. Consider the level of depth and insight you want your readers to have and select a POV that aligns with your narrative goals.
Can You Switch the POV?
While it’s possible to switch the POV within a book, you should do it purposefully and with careful consideration. Sudden switches can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of the story. Fiction books that are written from multiple characters points of view do best when those points of view switch at the start of a new chapter and are clearly marked for readers, so they understand that chapter is from another character’s perspective.
Upcoming article: How to Structure a Scene
Have a productive writing week 🖊️
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