Switching POV only once or twice...a no-no?

voodoo · Mar 3, 2010

I know that you cannot jump POV mid-scene.
But I want to see one or two scenes
through the eyes of another character.
I don't HAVE to, I want to.
98% of the story is in 3rd, seen through the one main character.

Would this be too weird for the reader if I did this?
Is this a no-no...sign of an amateur?

Thanks!

shaldna · Mar 3, 2010

voodoo said:
I know that you cannot jump POV mid-scene.

says who? terry pratchett does it all the time.

it's your novel and you can do what you like.

voodoo · Mar 3, 2010

Okay, but I'm really more curious about the idea of
only switching POVs once or twice in the whole novel.

maestrowork · Mar 3, 2010

Ask yourself why. Is it just for the fun of it? Is it because you can't find another way to relay the information? Is it because you have no idea what POV really means?

"Yes" to any of those questions would tell me you're an amateur.

voodoo · Mar 3, 2010

So basically, the answer is no.
I can't (or shouldn't) switch POVs like this.

Adam · Mar 3, 2010

If you feel that the story would benefit from the other PoVs, do it.

(Unless it's mid-scene.

)

Sevvy · Mar 3, 2010

I wouldn't because it would seem a little silly to tell an entire book in one POV, except for one or two scenes. POV switches can be confusing for readers, and you might create false expectations for them. If I see one POV switch, I except to see more. To just see it once or twice, I'd probably be left wondering why the author didn't just find a different way to convey that information.

You can do it, no one is going to stop you. But I don't think it's a good idea and you really need to ask yourself how doing this would further the story.

IceCreamEmpress · Mar 3, 2010

In general, if a book is 98% in one POV and 2% in another POV, that 2% can feel forced or disorienting to some readers.

But there are exceptions, so I would take it as a challenge rather than an absolute barrier.

voodoo · Mar 3, 2010

Sevvy said:
I wouldn't because it would seem a little silly to tell an entire book in one POV, except for one or two scenes. POV switches can be confusing for readers, and you might create false expectations for them. If I see one POV switch, I except to see more. To just see it once or twice, I'd probably be left wondering why the author didn't just find a different way to convey that information.

You can do it, no one is going to stop you. But I don't think it's a good idea and you really need to ask yourself how doing this would further the story.

Thank you!
That's what I wanted to know.
I know how to tell the story with one POV, not a problem.
I just wanted to see these 2 scenes through this one character.
I can live without it, esp. if it would confuse the reader.

Thanks again!

Kitty Pryde · Mar 3, 2010

IMO, if there's a compelling reason to structure the book this way (other than, the narrator wasn't there! But I wanted the readers to know some stuff happened!), then do it. Most of the time, there's not a compelling reason. The only one that I can think of is "All Quiet On The Western Front"--the one POV switch itself makes a powerful point.

It's so rarely done (just having POV change once or twice I mean) because there's usually not a great reason to do so.

Lady Ice · Mar 3, 2010

Depends how you pull it off. POV changes like that are normally done in 'literary' books- books which are drawing attention to the style of writing.

A switch like that, only once and for no real reason, breaks the suspension of disbelief; the reader's surrender to your vision, accepting that this story is/has actually happened.

Scoody · Mar 3, 2010

I usually have several strands going on at once and obviously, the MC can't be there at all of them. The main strand is usually first person from the MC point of a view. The other strands are third person and which ever character is driving the subplot in those strands is the POV that I use.

CarlP · Mar 3, 2010

By all means write the scenes. You'll learn something whether you keep them or not. Just try to be objective about their worth after you've written them.

Honalo · Mar 3, 2010

I have, I think, 4 POV switches, pretty evenly spread out during the course of the book - most of the POV is through one character, though. And only primary characters -there's 3 - have the POV scenes.

But honestly, I'm not bothered by POV switching - I glance right over it. I don't know why the industry is all hung up on POV. As long as it doesn't jump the reader - you know, like 5 POV switches in one scene - what the bloomin hell is wrong with it?

hannah_92 · Mar 3, 2010

It's your story and there's no rule against POV switches. As long as it's not mid-scene I'd say that it's fine. The main character can't be there all the time.

Elijah Sydney · Mar 3, 2010

I think minor pov changes work well when the change is to a character who is observing the MC, especially if it venerates the MC after he/she has made some kind of major achievement and is basking in the glory of that achievement. Then it can be nice as a reader to sit back and see what others think of it.

ishtar'sgate · Mar 3, 2010

According to Donald Maass "it is satisfying to read novels with multiple points of view. These views provide diversion from, and contrast to, the protag's perspective. They can deepen conflict, enlarge a story's scope and add to a novel the rich texture of life." (from Writing the Breakout Novel)

maestrowork · Mar 3, 2010

ishtar'sgate said:
According to Donald Maass "it is satisfying to read novels with multiple points of view. These views provide diversion from, and contrast to, the protag's perspective. They can deepen conflict, enlarge a story's scope and add to a novel the rich texture of life." (from Writing the Breakout Novel)

to which I refer to the OP's question:

Switching POV only once or twice

Jamesaritchie · Mar 3, 2010

I wouldn't. It's not that it can't be done well, it's that darned few writers can pull it off, and even when they do, it's still jarring.

ishtar'sgate · Mar 3, 2010

maestrowork - I'm well aware of the question but since others were discussing multiple POV in general, I thought the quote might be of interest. There are many tools in the writers toolbox. I enjoy learning about the usefulness of all of them.

maestrowork · Mar 3, 2010

There's absolutely nothing wrong with multiple POVs -- it's been done all the time. I'm just trying to point out it is not the same as the OP's question.

aadams73 · Mar 3, 2010

IceCreamEmpress said:
But there are exceptions, so I would take it as a challenge rather than an absolute barrier.

Agreed. Jasper Fforde does this well Something Rotten. Everything is in the main character's POV until once scene right near the end.

I wasn't bothered a bit. I have no problems with authors getting creative with this kind of thing, provided it works.

Stijn Hommes · Mar 4, 2010

Don't switch POV mid-scene. Other than that, anything goes. Just makes sure the reader knows to keep up. If you confuse them, that is when it turns into a no-no.

RJK · Mar 4, 2010

Stijn mad my point before I could. The problem with switching POV is, it can confuse the reader. Voodoo seems to know this. Even when moving to a new scene, if you've been in one POV for 98% of the book, the reader will be confused when suddenly confronted with another character's thoughts.

On the other hand, properly handled, multiple POV stories are interesting and many times, more lively than single POV novels.

I realize that everyone here has their own opinion, but pointing out that a popular author can break the rules, therefore an unknown, unpublished author can go ahead and break those same rules with impunity, is ridiculous, and may harm a naive author. Luckily the OP knows better in this case.

bonitakale · Mar 4, 2010

I wouldn't do once or twice. If you could make it three times, spaced out-- one near the beginning, one near the end, one in the middle-- it might work quite well.

Switching POV only once or twice...a no-no?

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