*Weekend 9*
POV
I must admit, I have always struggled with NAMING the POV, so this will be a learning lesson for me as well.
The POV is where the narrator stands in your story. Are they up close? Removed? Distant? And as Mr. Ray offers, it is all about the attitude of the narrator. Are they the comedian? Tragic? Ironic, objective, or subjective? Confused? Yup, me too. Apparently, pronouns are the key in identifying the POV: I, we, he, she, they, you.
First Person is the I/we. Third Person use he/she/they. Second Person leans toward the you pronoun. Still confused? Yupper, I’m right there with you. I am going to see if I can find some quality definitions. Hang on a sec…
First person narrative is a point of view where the story is narrated by one character at a time. This character may be speaking about him or herself or sharing events that he or she is experiencing. First person can be recognized by the use of I or we.
Second person is a point of view where the narrator tells the story to another character using the word ‘you. ‘ The author could be talking to the audience, which we could tell by the use of ‘you,’ ‘you’re,’ and ‘your.
In third–person point of view, the narrator tells us about what’s happening in the story. In third–person limited, the narrator shows us the thoughts and feelings of one character. In third–person omniscient, the narrator is all-knowing and shows us the inner world of every character that appears.
Well, that’s a bit better. Kinda. Maybe. I’ll learn to work with it. Any-who, Hi! How are you this lovely Monday quarantine day number…? I have no idea what the count is and truly no longer care. What difference does it make? We are home or safely distancing ourselves from others. I do worry about people who are all alone. Call your family and friends. Check in on those who don’t have support. Be their support system. This is me checking in with you. How are you doing? If you need a person to talk to, call someone, anyone. The world is a bigger and more beautiful place with you happily living in it.
Teatime! That is correct. My cuppa is filled with a lovely Oolong tea this morning. I already had my nibble of Greek yogurt and fresh cantaloupe. Run along and get yours while I get out our reading rug and some fluffy pillows to relax on. My copy of The Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray is tucked in my bag. Don’t forget to grab your copy and meet me on page 108.
Guidelines for Choosing Your Point of View
Who is telling your story? Are many people telling the story individually or is some mystical being drifting in the clouds watching it all take place and telling us what’s going on? Once you have decided on your POV from the definitions I gave you, stick to it. Be consistent or you can and will confuse your readers.
Be careful of the telling -vs- showing in the early stages of your writing. It is understood you are trying to get your reader caught up in the tale early on but that is not the way to go. Move into the heads of your characters slowly. Work around the room before jumping in. Set the stage, where are they and what are they doing before you give them a voice.
One of the main benefits of third person omniscient is how flexible the focus can be. This POV can jump from person to person, zoom in and out as the story requires. If you are having trouble figuring out your POV you may want to consider this one. Now, I am a fan of first person solely because I can focus on the strengths of a single character at a time. I can give them depth in range and feeling. This allows the readers to become closer and more familiar with each individual character. This is a great place to add all 5 senses as well. What does your character see, hear, smell, taste, and feel?
POVs exist because your characters exist. The POV lives in the sentences and the precise words you have chosen to put there.
Polish your sparkle and keep twirling.
Find joy. Be joy. Enjoy.
I’m always looking for new friends!
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