Choosing POV
No matter whether you are a seasoned writer trying out something new or a bran new writer feeling a little lost about how to write to the market, POV is a hard decision to make when you start writing a new book. Many have debated about this, and some readers are notoriously picky about what point of view they read in. So, how do you know what point of view to have in your own writing?
The first rule of thumb is to not allow yourself to be boxed in. Just because you have always written one way in the past doens't mean you cannot adjust for a new circumstance. There are certain point of views best suited to certain genres or story situations. So, before you decide, know your story and your characters. However you do that is up to you. Some writers spend extensive chunks of time setting up profiles and interviews for each of their important characters to really dig deep, and others just visualize them and allow them to speak in their heads like a real person.
However you decide to do it will be the right way for you, but the goal si to get a good feel for your genre, your otucome, and what you want your readers to get out of a character.
First Person- This is when your novel uses the word I. The character is speaking directly to the reader about what is going on in the novel. If you have one character you want to zero in on so readers can take a journey with them, this is a good POV to use. It is most useful in female oriented YA books, memoirs, drama, and mystery or thriller.
Second Person- This is when our novel uses the word you. There are only two instances in which you would ever use second person. When you are giving instruction or some other non-fiction book, or when you are purposefully wanting to break the fourth wall for a moment to relate to the reader.
Third Person Limited to One Character- This is when you use she and he but only allow to know about one character's thoughts or experiences. This point of view can turn out to be just as limited as first person. the only difference is that you are getting a perspective other than just the character's. There is an unknown narrator describing actions and details you wouldn't necessarily get unless a first person character is looking in the mirror. If your book hinges on getting to know one character but also details, this is the right choice.
Third Person Dual POV- This is still thrid eprson limited, but the uniqueness of this si that uou can get two sides fo a story instead of just one. This is popular in romances, both historical and contemporary.
Third Person Omniscient- This is the point of view that many find the hardest to write or follow, and yet there are certain purposes it cans serve with some good skill practice. The words she and he are used, but all thoughts of important characters can be known at any time without putting names or breaks between their thoughts. This particular point of view is useful in large universes and series with many characters you might want to know more about. Fantasy of all genres is one of the most likely place sot see this point of view.
