POV switch: line break or new paragraph?

Sundaysaid · Jun 4, 2009

During the 90s, when my collection of romance books overflowed my bookshelves, a POV switch meant a new paragraph. Then I stopped buying or reading romance--with the exception of my keeper pile. Fast forward to 2008. I notice authors using a line break (a second double space) to indicate the switch.

To add to the confusion, I browsed through the first pages of a JD Robb "Death" book (pubbed in '08 or '09) and she segued from one POV to the lead character's without a line break. (Disclaimer: I read but 3 pages--didn't buy the book--so I don't know if the line break ommision was a one time thing).

I checked the Submission Format thread and there was no definitive answer. What's the current protocol when it comes to a POV switch? Line break or new paragraph?

Susan Gable · Jun 5, 2009

It depends on who you ask. <G>

Now, first of all, never, EVER, compare writing stuff with JD/aka Nora Roberts. Nora/JD can do whatever she wants.

We can't. <G>

That said, my personal opinion and the style that I use is just a new paragraph. Make sure you make the POV switch VERY CLEAR. Anchor your reader into the "new head" ASAP.

The use of a line break to simply show a POV shift annoys the hell out of me as a reader. I am not stupid. If the writer does a proper job, I will not get lost on the way to a new head. <G>

My editor agrees with my technique. I'm sure she also allows those who use line breaks to use line breaks. There are other editors who would NOT allow me to do this.

Fortunately for me, right now I'm not working with those editors. (I've said it before -- if an editor who could and was going to buy my stuff asked me to change my style, I'd probably try to discuss it first, but if she firmly put her foot down, I'd change my POV style. I'm a slut that way -- I want to sell the book/story/whatever. <G>)

Susan G.

scarletpeaches · Jun 5, 2009

Susan Gable said:
...The use of a line break to simply show a POV shift annoys the hell out of me as a reader. I am not stupid. If the writer does a proper job, I will not get lost on the way to a new head. <G>

My editor agrees with my technique. I'm sure she also allows those who use line breaks to use line breaks. There are other editors who would NOT allow me to do this...

And I'm the complete opposite. I hate it when authors switch POVs without a scene break. It makes the writing look messy and I'm very, very reluctant to read anything by that author again.

I don't take it as the writer calling me stupid when they clearly mark their POV shifts. I take it as them giving the new character their own space.

Me, when I'm not writing in first person? I show a new POV by starting a whole new chapter.

Parametric · Jun 5, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
And I'm the complete opposite. I hate it when authors switch POVs without a scene break. It makes the writing look messy and I'm very, very reluctant to read anything by that author again.

I don't take it as the writer calling me stupid when they clearly mark their POV shifts. I take it as them giving the new character their own space.

Me, when I'm not writing in first person? I show a new POV by starting a whole new chapter.

QFT. Not clearly signalling a PoV shift = work of the devil.

Susan Gable · Jun 5, 2009

Parametric said:
QFT. Not clearly signalling a PoV shift = work of the devil.

That's the closest I can come to an emoticon with devil horns. So since it's the devil, that must be me on the right end. <G>

(I hope that people realize that this discussion shows how subjective -- and subject to change -- writing craft can be.

)
Susan G.

san_remo_ave · Jun 5, 2009

I prefer a line break or new chapter for POV shift.

AllieB · Jun 5, 2009

Line break or new chapter. I never, ever just use a paragraph shift. And yes, I hate it when Nora/JD does it that way. Always pulls me out of the story.

girlyswot · Jun 5, 2009

It depends how often you do it and how clearly it's signalled in the writing, I think. Either way can work well in different situations (though you'll want to be consistent throughout the book).

Brindle Chase · Jun 5, 2009

I prefer a chapter break. I hate it when they switch POV every other paragraph... I see it alot in romance novels and don't understand how they get away with it. It drives me nuts as a reader, not to mention as a writer.

If it has to happen in the same chapter, I prefer a line break to indicate POV switch.

I absolutely hate the most, when the POV switches inside the same paragraph!! I get so confused, I don't now which character is having which thought

jfreedan · Jun 5, 2009

I would do a line break just to be on the safe side. POV changing during the same paragraph doesn't really bother me the way it does other people, but writing that doesn't confuse certain types of people is probably easier to sell to a publisher.

Hildegarde · Jun 5, 2009

LOL - this is one of those issues that people seem to get EXTREMELY emotional about.

When it comes to reading, I'm Switzerland on this one. I refuse to call either way "wrong". I'm rarely bothered by mid-scene POV switches unless they are poorly executed or over-used. I've seen many authors do them beautifully. I've seen some that butcher them.

I do think it is easier to sink into "deep POV" if you only switch at scene or chapter breaks.

Now that I am writing (as opposed to just reading) I tend to notice POV switches more. This makes me pickier about how they are executed. I try not to take this out on the author. Get's hard to read for enjoyment if you can't switch off your internal editor.

If you are writing for a particular line, best to take a look at what conventions might be for that line.

scarletpeaches · Jun 5, 2009

If you don't have a scene- or chapter-break when you shift POV, you're head-jumping.

Margo_U · Jun 5, 2009

I can go either way. If the author really makes it clear, so that I don't get bounced out of the story, then I am okay with just a new paragraph. But I really do prefer the line break, and that is how I write it, too. It's just easier that way, in my opinion anyhow.

Cathy C · Jun 5, 2009

If you can pull it off, do what you will. But most people CAN'T pull it off so a line break makes sense. However, the way all the editors I've worked with create a line break is to drop a paragraph, then put a hash mark at the left margin, like:

#

Then start the new POV. So, in a way, it's BOTH a new paragraph and a line break. If that makes sense...

Sundaysaid · Jun 5, 2009

Cathy C said:
If you can pull it off, do what you will. But most people CAN'T pull it off so a line break makes sense. However, the way all the editors I've worked with create a line break is to drop a paragraph, then put a hash mark at the left margin, like:

#

Then start the new POV. So, in a way, it's BOTH a new paragraph and a line break. If that makes sense...

It kind of doesn't make sense.

How about just doing the double-double space method? I'll revert back to the Submission Formatting thread to see what's suggested.

I think I'll go with the line break method because I have a feeling readers born after 1980 come to expect it and there's more certainty of reader understanding. I'm just outside the Switzerland camp in that I don't have a violent reaction to either method. Though when I first started seeing line breaks to indicate POV switches, it was akin to a traffic cop telling me to stop and change route. (I hear you Susan).

Thanks.

mlhernandez · Jun 6, 2009

I'm in the double line break, new paragraph camp when it comes to POV shifts. If it's a POV shift and a change of scene, I'll go with a new chapter (if it's a natural chapter break) or 3 ***.

But that's just me.

Nightmelody · Jun 6, 2009

Publishers (epubs) I've worked with want either a double space or a *** to show scene breaks. Only one POV per scene--head hopping is of the debbil.

Deb Kinnard · Jun 6, 2009

I stand with Melisse. It's good discipline to limit yourself to one POV per scene, and scene breaks are always signaled with some sort of break -- either double spacing or the handy-dandy ***. One of my e-presses even prefers *****. Overkill, but hey, they're writing the guidelines...

I, too, cannot stand head-hopping in romances. Give me clarity on whose scene it is, or give me death (and no, I don't read N. Roberts books)!

wannawrite · Jun 10, 2009

Very timely for me, guys. I just got another reject, and one of the crits was my POV changes, and what SP called 'head hopping'. Didn't realize that I did it so much. Now must go and fix....

Sundaysaid · Jun 11, 2009

All the best with your edits!

ellisnation · Jun 15, 2009

I would stick with 1 pov per scene. Especially in romance where we like to know what's going on in the H & H's heads without having to wait several pages for a new chapter. I've noticed alot of head-hopping in romance novels. It really doesn't take me out of the story, but I do think the writer could've had a better book had it been written without the head-hopping.

And why take a chance turning off a potential editor? You might get lucky and find one that is sooo in love with your book he/she is willing to overlook it. If not, your MS collects dust.

brainstorm77 · Jun 15, 2009

Line break.

brainstorm77 · Jul 29, 2009

Bumping this since I think it's a great thread.

Karen Junker · Jul 29, 2009

I'm an editor for a small publisher of romance - we tell folks to try to keep the POV switches to chapter or scene breaks. Many multi-published romance authors can get away with head-hopping, but a new author can't do what an established writer does. Why give an agent or editor another excuse to put your story down?

Robin Bayne · Jul 29, 2009

Susan Gable said:
I

The use of a line break to simply show a POV shift annoys the hell out of me as a reader. I am not stupid. If the writer does a proper job, I will not get lost on the way to a new head. <G>

My editor agrees with my technique. I'm sure she also allows those who use line breaks to use line breaks. There are other editors who would NOT allow me to do this.

Susan G.

I used to think we needed a line space too, but every editor I've worked with has taken them out.

POV switch: line break or new paragraph?

Sundaysaid

*

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

scarletpeaches

Parametric

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

san_remo_ave

Back at it

AllieB

girlyswot

Brindle Chase

Dancing on the edge

jfreedan

Hildegarde

A newb in the fog

scarletpeaches

Margo_U

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Sundaysaid

*

mlhernandez

Nightmelody

Deb Kinnard

wannawrite

Sundaysaid

*

ellisnation

Rhiannon Ellis

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

Karen Junker

Live a little. Write a lot.

Robin Bayne

~writes for Him~