Pov?

[vpwriter]

Which POV do you prefer writing or reading in? First Person or Third Person? I'm having a hard time deciding myself. In one of my stories, I keep switching between different perspectives because I cant figure out which one works best for my story. There are times I like letting people see how the character is thinking and other times I want to leave it a mystery.

[Tamera]

I like 3rd person better. Having said that, I did write one story in first person because the story demanded it. 1st person is harder to keep up when you write that way. You are limited to one character's knowledge and POV. So my advice is write in the POV that's best for your story.

[elbib]

Third person - reading and writing.

Thanks - Kimberli

[Tarin]

Both. Depends entirely on the story. And there's nothing wrong with multiple 3rd-person POVs (or multiple 1st-person POVs, for that matter).

[vpwriter]

Both. Depends entirely on the story. And there's nothing wrong with multiple 3rd-person POVs (or multiple 1st-person POVs, for that matter).

I'm actually switching between 1st and 3rd for now since Im not completely satisfied one way or another as of right now. I'll probably get a critique on that one later to get other people's input on which one they think it might fit.

[Tarin]

I'm actually switching between 1st and 3rd for now since Im not completely satisfied one way or another as of right now.

I've seen stories that switch between 1st and 3rd. You might want to check out "Cat Lady (http://christianwriters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17038&highlight=lady)" in the Workshops; pprmint's done a great job alternating between 1st and 3rd.

[michaelsnyder]

As I often find myself saying around here...What Tarin said!

VP said: "I keep switching between different perspectives because I cant figure out which one works best for my story"

I think that's your best answer right there. Just keep writing until you KNOW what POV works. While writing my 2nd novel, I changed the POV/tense of the first 85 pages about six times. In a word, it was grueling! As you probably know, there's a lot more to it than adding 'ed' to the end of words and swapping all the "I" sentences to "me." POV changes completely alter the voice, and thus the entire mood of the story. But I like your idea to just keep plowing through until you get your answer. And again, like Tarin said, if the story demands it, you can always alternate...just make sure the story demands it! Otherwise, you'll get all sorts of nasty marks from crit partners...

Mike

[Thebigguy]

As I often find myself saying around here...What Tarin said!

VP said: "I keep switching between different perspectives because I cant figure out which one works best for my story"

I think that's your best answer right there. Just keep writing until you KNOW what POV works. While writing my 2nd novel, I changed the POV/tense of the first 85 pages about six times. In a word, it was grueling! As you probably know, there's a lot more to it than adding 'ed' to the end of words and swapping all the "I" sentences to "me." POV changes completely alter the voice, and thus the entire mood of the story. But I like your idea to just keep plowing through until you get your answer. And again, like Tarin said, if the story demands it, you can always alternate...just make sure the story demands it! Otherwise, you'll get all sorts of nasty marks from crit partners...

Mike

I like what you said about writing till you find what the story demands I'll certainly keep that in mind for my story. As far as the character though, I think VP it depends on what you would love to write and what the people want. If they would love one kind of story and you venimently hate it for heaven sake don't write it, you'd be lucky to get though the first draft.

[michaelsnyder]

Amen Big Guy...If I have a writing mantra, it is exactly that. If you don't love it, don't write it!

Mike

[Tarin]

A few years ago I burned myself out on a story, mostly because I was writing it from the wrong POV. Fifty pages, two months, and a lot of frustration later, I finally figured out that the reason the story refused to sound like it did in my head was that I was utilizing the wrong POVs. :confused: When I return to the tale (sometime next year, Lord willing), I'll hopefully have my ducks - and my POV characters - aligned much more advantageously.

Lesson: Writing isn't about you telling a story; it's about your characters telling a story. Your only job is to find the best character(s) to narrate and then get out of the way! ;)

[jacks girl]

3rd person writing or reading.

[Lookin^Up]

All of my stories are a mix of 3rd person and 1st person: 3rd in narration and 1st in dialogue. LOL

But seriously, 3rd works best for me, although I do have a few short stories that are told in 1st person. Those are simpler plots that don't require more than one viewpoint.

As for changing 3rd person POV, I'd stick with the same character's point of view as long as possible, changing only when his perspective no longer serves the plot, or when the scene changes. Changing frequently can make you seem unfocused--which you do seem to be at the moment. So keep writing until the focus comes.

[whitehawke]

I used to loathe First Person; couldn't even bare to read it let alone write it. But then I read curmudgeon's wip and I was amazed at how much I loved it. He uses First Person for his main character and Third Person for the others, and he does it so well that I forgot it was First. After reading his work, my views changed. lol

Since then, I started writing a novel about a gypsy in First and enjoyed doing so until I reached the scene where my MC was to be beaten and taken into slavery. I chickened out at having it in First. That story is on hold until I decide which POV to run with. At the moment, I'm working on an old novel in third.

[Timber Wolf]

I read and write mostly third person. I did recently read Gravity's first book, and it is first-person, and I do write some true short stories that are first, so I am slightly moving around to thinking about trying something longer in first person (after my current WIP is done - Or I feel more inclined to have two books going at the same time).

[michaelsnyder]

Whitehawk,

Just curious...and obviously you don't have to answer...but I'm curious why the POV scared you off when you got the (probably horrific) beating and captivity scene? Seems like (and I could be totally off here!) that if the story is working well in 1st, you may have to dig a little deeper and finish in first (pun intended). My thinking is that, whether you write first, third, or even second person that you'll still have to take the emotional plunge and delve into some hard places.

I do believe that first-person is the most intimate. So it could be as simple as that, that you just feel more comfortable with that small bit of distance. Anyhow, just curious...

Mike

[whitehawke]

Beating a character up in third is fun, but writing it in first is too personal for me as yet. Also, I find it easier to put more detail into it with third. And yeah, I feel more comfortable with that small bit of distance.

[michaelsnyder]

Yeah, I get that. And I'll be curious to know how it all turns out too. I would say 'good luck with it', but I'm not a big fan of luck. Instead I'll go with pray hard and write hard!

Mike

[whitehawke]

If I remember, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm not a fan of luck either. Prayers are much better. :)

[Lookin^Up]

At least prayer has a Target. With luck, you're just throwing dust into the wind and hope it lands somewhere good. That's not a secure way to live.