Writing Tip #4 -- Discovering Points of View in Books, Pt 2

7 days ago

7 min read

When it comes to storytelling, the point of view (POV) is one of the most important decisions an author makes. The choice of POV influences how the reader experiences the narrative, how character emotions are conveyed, and how plot details are revealed. Three common types of POV are Single POV, Dual (Two) POV, and Multiple POV. In this article, we'll explore each of these POV structures, illustrating how they work through examples written in third person deep POV, where the narrative stays closely aligned with the character's inner thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

Single POV (Third Person Deep POV)

Definition: In single POV, the story is told from the perspective of one character, typically the protagonist. Third person deep POV allows the reader to access this character’s inner world while maintaining the use of third-person pronouns (he, she, they). This creates an intimate, close connection between the reader and the character, as we experience everything through their senses, thoughts, and emotions.

Example:

Chapter One: Lena walked down the empty street, the cold biting at her skin. Her steps quickened, but her mind raced faster. What was she doing? She should have gone home, should have turned around when she saw the shadow lurking at the end of the alley. But she couldn’t—no, she wouldn’t—let fear control her. Not tonight.

She glanced over her shoulder. The alley was dark, but it didn’t matter. She knew someone was there. A chill ran down her spine, and she fought to keep her breath steady. Just keep walking. You’re not weak. Not anymore.

Her fingers brushed the cool metal of the knife hidden in her jacket pocket. She had to be ready. No one else would protect her. She was alone in this fight, but maybe that was just how it had to be. No one had ever truly stood by her, not for long.

Focus, Lena. Focus.

Pros:

Emotional Depth: Single POV in deep third person offers readers a deep connection to the protagonist. Every action, thought, and feeling is filtered through the protagonist’s lens, which heightens emotional engagement.
Focused Storytelling: With only one viewpoint character, the narrative remains streamlined and easy to follow. There’s no confusion about whose perspective the reader is in, and the reader can fully immerse in the protagonist’s journey.
Unreliable Narrator: Single POV can create an unreliable narrative. Since the reader only knows what the protagonist knows, this adds a layer of suspense or ambiguity, which can be especially effective in thrillers or mysteries.

Cons:

Limited Information: The reader only has access to the protagonist's thoughts and perceptions. This can be a limitation if the story involves multiple storylines or characters with significant roles.
Restrictive Viewpoint: With only one character’s perspective, the reader is locked into that character’s biases, which can make the narrative feel one-sided. This can be problematic if the story demands a more well-rounded view of events.
Lack of Variety: If the story is overly reliant on one character’s internal world, the narrative can feel monotonous or overly introspective, potentially slowing down the plot.

Dual POV (Two POV) (Third Person Deep POV)

Definition: In dual POV, the story alternates between the perspectives of two different characters. Each character’s thoughts and emotions are explored in third person deep POV, allowing the reader to experience the plot from two distinct viewpoints. This structure is often used in stories with two main protagonists or characters whose perspectives are crucial to the plot.

Example:

Chapter One (Lena’s POV): Lena’s breath caught in her throat as she saw him. There he was, across the crowded street, leaning against the car as though he had all the time in the world. For a moment, the world seemed to slow. She hadn’t expected to see him today, hadn’t prepared for this. Her mind raced—what was he doing here?

Keep it together, Lena.

She forced herself to take a step forward, to keep her feet moving toward him, but the uncertainty gnawed at her. Was this a mistake?

She glanced back. No one was watching. He was the only person who ever made her feel anything other than numb. The anger, the frustration, the desire—it all roiled inside her, making her head spin. But she wasn’t the same person she had been when they last met. She couldn’t let him pull her back in.

Chapter Two (Tom’s POV): Tom’s eyes tracked her movements as she crossed the street. The tightness in his chest only grew with each step she took. She was still as beautiful as ever—maybe more so. But there was something different about her now. The fire that used to burn in her was gone. It made him wonder: Was this really what she wanted?

He waited until she was close enough to speak. “Lena,” he said, his voice low. She flinched at the sound of his name, and for a split second, he saw a flicker of something in her eyes—fear? Anger? Both? Maybe more. He had to be careful.

This wasn’t the time to push her, but he couldn’t help himself. He had waited too long.

Pros:

Variety and Balance: Dual POV allows readers to experience the story from two different characters' perspectives, providing a richer, more well-rounded narrative. This can be especially effective when two characters are at the heart of the plot and their interactions drive the story forward.
Tension and Drama: Alternating between two characters can build suspense and emotional complexity. Readers gain insights into both characters’ motives, desires, and fears, which creates dramatic tension, especially if they are unaware of each other’s thoughts or intentions.
Character Development: Dual POV gives the opportunity for deeper character exploration. The internal worlds of both characters are fully explored, which allows readers to see how each individual is shaped by their experiences and how they grow or change.

Cons:

Risk of Confusion: If the transitions between characters' viewpoints are unclear, readers may become confused about whose perspective they are reading. Clear demarcations, such as chapter breaks or section titles, are essential for smooth transitions.
Split Focus: The narrative may divide its focus between the two characters, which can make it harder for the reader to deeply connect with either character. This is particularly true if one character's arc feels less compelling or significant than the other.
Uneven Pacing: With two alternating POVs, there’s a risk of uneven pacing. If one character’s chapters are slower or more introspective than the other’s, it can create a lopsided reading experience, where one perspective feels more compelling than the other.

Multiple POV (Third Person Deep POV)

Definition: Multiple POV expands upon the dual POV structure by incorporating three or more characters’ perspectives into the narrative. This allows the story to unfold from several different angles, providing a more comprehensive view of the world and its events. Each character's internal thoughts and feelings are explored in deep third person, allowing for a multifaceted narrative.

Example:

Chapter One (Lena’s POV): Lena paced back and forth, her mind spinning with questions. She knew the risks, knew what was at stake, but something kept pulling her back—an undeniable need to solve this puzzle. Every answer brought more questions, and every step closer to the truth made her feel like she was losing her grip.

Chapter Two (Tom’s POV): Tom watched her from the shadows, his heart heavy with guilt. Lena had no idea how much he regretted everything. He had tried to protect her, but now, it felt like she was slipping further away. Maybe it was too late. Maybe she would never forgive him. He had to find a way to fix things. He had to.

Chapter Three (Maya’s POV): Maya’s footsteps echoed in the hallway, her thoughts a whirlwind. This was it. This was the moment. She had waited so long to make her move, to finally get what she wanted. She glanced at her phone again. The message was clear. Everything depended on this. But the question lingered in the back of her mind—was this really what she wanted?

Pros:

Comprehensive Narrative: Multiple POV offers a panoramic view of the story. It allows the reader to experience different facets of the plot, providing a more complete picture of the characters, their motivations, and how the story unfolds from different angles.
Increased Complexity: Multiple POV creates layers of complexity, which can enrich the storytelling. The interactions between different characters become more intricate, and their differing goals and desires can create a dynamic and multi-dimensional plot.
Dynamic Pacing and Suspense: With more characters involved, the narrative can shift focus between different perspectives, keeping the story fresh and unpredictable. This structure often works well in larger-scale stories or epic tales where multiple characters drive the plot in various ways.

Cons:

Character Fatigue: Too many perspectives can overwhelm the reader, especially if the characters are not sufficiently distinct or their arcs aren’t compelling. The reader may struggle to become invested in each character’s journey if the narrative jumps too frequently.
Pacing Problems: With several characters’ POVs to balance, the story can slow down or lose focus. If one character’s plotline is less engaging than the others, the pacing may feel uneven.
Potential for Confusion: Multiple POVs require careful management. If the transitions between characters are not clearly defined, readers may become confused about whose perspective they’re reading. Strong transitions are crucial to avoid disorienting the reader.

Conclusion

The choice of POV significantly impacts how a story is experienced by the reader. Single POV allows for an intimate connection with one character, dual POV offers a balance between two perspectives, and multiple POV creates a layered, complex narrative. Each of these POV structures, especially when written in third person deep POV, offers unique advantages and challenges that shape the storytelling experience. Writers must carefully consider which structure works best for their story, characters, and intended emotional impact.