Bouncing an idea off you (POV)

Libbie · Jan 11, 2010

Hi, guys.

I'm hoping to get a lot of opinions about this situation. I'm working on another historical novel set in ancient Egypt. My first novel (currently being read by various agents) is set in the same dynasty and is, in fact, about the parents of the MC of the second novel. However, both stories should be able to stand on their own -- or at least, that's my goal.

The first novel was written entirely from the POV of a single character. In the second, I want to use at least two different POVs, possibly three or four. There is more of a romance/relationship subplot in this second book that will carry throughout the entire novel. I'd like to show the story from the perspective of both characters involved in this relationship.

My question is, as a reader, would you be weirded out by an author's choice to tell one piece of a larger tale from one POV, but multiple POVs in the next piece of the tale? Even if you could pick up the "second" book and read it happily without reading the "first" book beforehand?

Thanks for your input!

LOG · Jan 11, 2010

No, not really.

Claudia Gray · Jan 11, 2010

I would think that would be okay unless, perhaps, the books sell as a series; then an editor might want a stronger continuity of voice, with single-person narrators throughout. However, that's going to be editor opinion, and as you can't know what this theoretical editor will prefer, I say trust your gut and start working. If you have to revise later --- and quite possibly you will not -- cross that bridge when you come to it.

Caitlin Black · Jan 11, 2010

ClaudiaGray said:
I would think that would be okay unless, perhaps, the books sell as a series; then an editor might want a stronger continuity of voice, with single-person narrators throughout. However, that's going to be editor opinion, and as you can't know what this theoretical editor will prefer, I say trust your gut and start working. If you have to revise later --- and quite possibly you will not -- cross that bridge when you come to it.

This.

Libbie · Jan 11, 2010

Great advice. Thanks, Claudia!

Miss T · Jan 11, 2010

I've seen that done before-- books in a series where another MC was introduced in the second. It's tricky to pull off, but it can certainly work.

It's easier to adjust to an additional MC if we haven't already met and formed an opinion of him or her in the previous book.

san_remo_ave · Jan 11, 2010

Libbie said:
My question is, as a reader, would you be weirded out by an author's choice to tell one piece of a larger tale from one POV, but multiple POVs in the next piece of the tale? Even if you could pick up the "second" book and read it happily without reading the "first" book beforehand?

Oh, no problemo. Each novel stands alone.

Diana Gabaldon did this in her Outlander series. 1st book was 1st person female MC POV. 2nd book was 1st person female MC and 3rd person male MC... by the later books, she was up to something like 4 different POVs.

Libbie · Jan 11, 2010

Good to know -- thanks, San Remo. I've had Outlander sitting on my shelf for three years now and still haven't gotten around to reading it! Maybe I should start tonight, so I can check out how another author approached this issue.

kaitie · Jan 11, 2010

It wouldn't seem weird to me at all. Then again, I'm weird.

Raphee · Jan 11, 2010

No problem at all.

Gore Vidal's series on American politics: Burr, Lincoln, 1876, Empire, use different POV's.
Particularly Burr had a 1st person narrator, while the others were 3rd, if I remember correctly.

backslashbaby · Jan 12, 2010

I think it's fine. Just don't have many different ones in this one, I think.

kuwisdelu · Jan 12, 2010

kaitie said:
It wouldn't seem weird to me at all. Then again, I'm weird.

What she said

Gedaechtnis · Jan 12, 2010

Nick Sagan did this too with the Idlewild series. Okay, I'm just saying this to get publicity for my favorite series of all time. I'll shut up now.
But seriously, nobody cares so long as it's good. The only reason people need to gripe about POV is because they know something's wrong with the story but it's not glaringly obvious and they have to make a case as to why they dislike it.
Then again...maybe it's all in my head.

Hittman · Jan 12, 2010

Wouldn't bother me. If I like the writer I like to see them do things differently from novel to novel. One of my favorite writers, Donald Westlake, wrote in a half dozen different styles, not just different POVs.

Matera the Mad · Jan 12, 2010

Not a-tall. I recently enjoyed a whole series of one-POV novels that suddenly split the spotlight. Loved it.

Southern Girl · Jan 13, 2010

I'm game. I like POVs to switch, especially during a complex story.

As a reader, I get pissed off when I can't figure out what is really going on in a book - some big mystery and the clues aren't adding up. Multiple POVs are a relief. You get more and more of what you want. There's actually a lot of books that I wish were written in multiple POVs. They would be much more satisfying to me.

Libbie · Jan 13, 2010

Great! Thank you, everybody, for your input.

Lady Ice · Jan 13, 2010

If it's like a saga/dynasty type thing then yeah, I'd go with it. Bad news is that it may work so well that your first book looks like it lacks depth.

Libbie · Jan 13, 2010

Yes, that is a possibility. I'm willing to risk my first book looking like it lacks depth, though, if it means a really strong second book.

Bouncing an idea off you (POV)

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

LOG

Lagrangian

Claudia Gray

Caitlin Black

Wild one

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Miss T

san_remo_ave

Back at it

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

kaitie

With great power comes

Raphee

In debt to AW

backslashbaby

*

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Gedaechtnis

likes toast and peppermint

Hittman

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Southern Girl

Prayer in a tango

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Bouncing an idea off you (POV)

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Lagrangian

Wild one

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Back at it

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

With great power comes

In debt to AW

~~~~*~~~~

Revolutionize the World

likes toast and peppermint

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Prayer in a tango

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Makes useful distinctions

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

*