1-2-3 Writing Blog: Let’s Talk About Choosing the Right POV
Photo courtesy of Hannah Olinger @hannaholinger
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
1 WRITING IDEA
Did you know certain paint colors, especially dark grey, can boost the selling price of a house? True! (and verified by my home appraiser wife)
Now imagine your book as a freshly primed wall. The paint color is your writing style, which ties into your point of view (POV).
POV serves as the heartbeat of your writing voice. And mastering your voice is like picking the perfect paint shade.
So, you've got options:
1st person: use "I" and "we," giving that cozy, in-my-shoes feel.
2nd person: use the daring "you," drawing readers directly into the action.
3rd person: use “he,” “she,” “it,” and “they,” for a bird’s-eye view.
Choosing the right POV comes down to what feels most natural. The best writers go invisible, making readers forget about them. But making that look effortless is the toughest part.
Once you've picked a POV, stay in that lane. Don’t mix and merge. And if considering multiple character POVs, go for it! But tread carefully—too many voices can be a crowd.
2 WRITING QUOTES
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.
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“Every story has already been told… there is really no reason to ever write another novel. Except that each writer brings to the table, if she will let herself, something that no one else in the history of time has ever had.”
3 Writing Questions
Why do you think it's important for writers to "go invisible"? What benefits does this bring to a story?
In what situations might a writer choose multiple character POVs, and what are the risks in that choice?
What is your favorite book written in 1st person? 3rd? What genres best support 2nd person?
What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?
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About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.
