This is the second in a series of writing technique articles. For the first, please visit Using Dialogue Tags Correctly.
Point of View
Point of View is a way for the reader to get inside a character’s head, to know what they are thinking, feeling, seeing and experiencing. There are three major ways to write point of view (POV): first person, second person and third person. All of them can be written in present or past tense, though past tense is usually the preferred method. The following short paragraphs demonstrate them in order. They are written in present tense, with past tense in parenthesis.
Pick a Tense and Stick With It!
1st: I walk(ed) through the store, looking for the perfect dress to wear tonight (that night). Most of them are (were) absolutely hideous, and I wouldn’t be caught dead in them. Well, I guess(ed) I would have to be dead to actually wear anything so ugly.
2nd: You walk(ed) through the store, looking for the perfect dress to wear tonight (that night). Most of them are (were) absolutely hideous, and you wouldn’t be caught dead in them. Well, you guess(ed) you would have to be dead to actually wear anything so ugly.
3rd: She walks (walked) through the store, looking for the perfect dress to wear tonight (that night). Most of them are (were) absolutely hideous, and she wouldn’t be caught dead in them. Well, she guesses (guessed) she would have to be dead to actually wear anything so ugly.
First Person Point of View
Though first person is used frequently in fiction, it limits the writer and reader to only view what is going on from the main character’s perspective. This is a good method to use in a mystery, when the writer doesn’t want anything revealed until the main character in the story discovers them. First person is also common with non-fiction, since that is from the writer’s point of view. It can read like someone's diary and help the reader relate more to that person.
Second Person POV
This POV is rare and probably the hardest to do for lengthy fiction. It also is limited to one person’s perspective, but it is useful when the writer wants the reader to feel like he or she is in the story. This is also a more personal way to write. The reader becomes the main character. The problem in writing this way is when the reader disagrees with what he or she is feeling in the story.
Third Person Point of View
Third person POV is the most popular, since more of the story can be told. It can be exclusively from the main character’s perspective, just like first and second person, but it also has the advantage of switching among many characters. Limited third person is from one character, whereas omniscient (or unlimited) third person is from all the characters points of view. The reader can glimpse more of the unfolding story as he or she goes along.
One POV Per Scene
Switching from one character’s POV to another must be done carefully, or head hopping can irritate the reader. It is best to stay with one character throughout the scene, and switch to another character during a scene change or a new chapter. The main thing to remember while writing POV is that when inside one character, the reader cannot know what is in the head of another character. This is a common mistake among writers. They are all guilty of it, since it’s such a hard writing aspect to master.
If you are in the hero’s head and he kissed the heroine, the following description of her cannot be used.
His touch turned her on, and she felt warmth between her legs.
The hero can’t know that, since he doesn’t see or feel it happening. A better way to do this from his perspective would be the following:
Her eyes fluttered shut, and a contented sigh escaped her lips as she went limp. He tightened his arms around her and felt a quiver run through her body. He smiled, realizing his touch turned her on.
Description is Key to Mastering POV
The second example not only stays with the hero, but it gives more descriptive content than the first sentence. Description draws the reader more into the story, furthering his or her enjoyment. It is ultimately up to the writer which POV is used. They all serve a different purpose. For more help on how to use point of view, visit the following two sites: Go Publish Yourself & Pam McCutcheon
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