WRITER'S BLOGG | A Blog For Story Writing

Choosing Perspectives

Are you unsure in what perspective you should write your story?

The following perspectives exist:

- First person POV (point of view)

- Second person POV

- Third person omniscient

- Third person limited

- Third person objective

First Person Point Of View:

This writing style is written out of the perspective of one character at one time.

Throughout chapters these can vary, like having each chapter told out of another character's perspective.

This point of view is being told out of the perspective of something coming at them or happening to them.

Key words:

I, me, my, mine

Pros for First Person POV:

- story seems like it's being told from the character themselves

- easier to follow

Cons for First Person POV:

- Starting a chapter being told from a different character each time is hard to comprehend

- limited to only what that one character experiences and senses - limited to one body (your character doesn't see/hear/smell/observe everything that is happening around them, only what is coming at them)

Sentence example:

I walked down the narrow path to the house.

I wave at him.

My head hurts.

This writing style is mine to opt to, I have written stories out of other perspectives, yet it was harder to do so.

Second Person Point Of View:

This writing style is written out of your perspective. A mostly uncommon writing style, unless you're reading fanfiction, this writing style is being told out of the perspective of the reader.

Key words:

You, yours, your

IT IS CONSIDERED A NO-NO WRITING A NOVEL OUT OF SECOND PERSON POV!

Pros for Second Person POV:

- you feel included in the story, like in a DnD session

Cons for Second Person POV:

- you don't know what's going on, you are thrown into the story and have to find your way - hard to adjust

- your character doesn't have a name (usually)

Sentence example:

You are being lead to the house.

Your purse is missing.

Third Person Point Of View:

Third person point of view is being told out of the perspective of characters without embodying them.

There are differences:

- Third person omniscient

- Third person limited

- Third person objective

Key words:

He, his, him

She, hers, her

They, theirs, them

It, its

Third Person Omniscient Point Of View:

This writing style symbolizes that the author/narrator is writing the story out of the perspective of multiple characters.

The writer knows all thoughts and actions the characters do, meaning the author is an "all-knowing" one.

Pros:

- the reader knows everything the writer does - no need for overly explanatory chapters

Cons:

- there is nothing new to discover about the characters anymore - the reader knows it already -> hard for plot twists

Sentence example:

Leah is a chef.

Cathy is working in a flower shop.

Simon is the killer.

Third Person Limited Point Of View:

This writing style focuses on writing out of third person yet focusing on one character.

Meaning only one character is introduced in the perspective and the story gets told from them and only them - it is limited to one person.

More characters are told in the he/she/they perspective, yet the reader doesn't get an insight of their thoughts.

Pros:

- easy to follow process of the character - the reader only has to focus on one character

- plot twists are working

Cons:

- since the other characters are being described with he/she/they, it can be confusing of whom the perspective is out

Sentence example:

Claire walks down the path to the small hut. Internally, her mind is twisted by the words said to her earlier.

Third Person Objective Point Of View:

While Omniscient and Limited gives the reader an insight of the characters of the perspective, meaning you get to like/dislike a character simply because of their thoughts processes, Objective limits the way of telling.

Third Person Objective focuses on telling the story out of the he/she/they perspective simply and mundanely. The writer doesn't give or allow the reader an insight of the characters.

Imagine a story being told out of the perspective of an NPC. You don't know their backstory (unless the author allows you to), they are simply there to observe. Emotional experiences or what an action causes to a character are kept untold.

Pros:

- your writing can focus on world building more rather than the character's experience or past

Cons:

- no emotional connection to the reader - the characters are nothing meaningful or special

Sentence example:

Sara gets into the car. By the time she reaches the store, the sun has set.