Writing from two POVs

Penguin · Apr 19, 2010

Hey, guys.
I've been working on a YA romance novel for a year now. I threw it aside for a little while because it was giving me trouble, but I really don't want to quit on it.
Here is my dillema:
I've written the entire manuscript from a female MC 1st person POV. I started to play around with it because it wasn't coming out as well as I hoped. Since I've written other WIPs from the male and female POVs, I decided to change the current one to all male. I think it came out okay, but now I think the focus is all on the male and not the female. I was thinking of writing the story from both their POVs. So my question: is it okay to do that? Or is that a cop out? Why would a writer write from both characters' POVs? Are agents and editors particular about that?
Thanks so much!

The Grump · Apr 19, 2010

I don't have the slightest idea what an agents or editor would say specifically on your manuscript. I'd think it would depend on how you construct the story.

As a reader, I rather enjoy books were I get different characters' perspective on what is going on -- provided the skill in storytelling remains the same. Personally, I've both switched POVs in various chapters and written from one POV for the whole book. But then, I haven't had a novel published.

Mr Flibble · Apr 19, 2010

Yes, it's absolutely okay - very common in romance. You have the two POVs so when say, he ignores her he doesn't seem a jerk because you can see that really it's because of X etc. You can see the emotions and reasoning behind them from both sides, the why of why they want to be together and the why of why they can't be together ( until they are

). Can really help to up the tension.

job · Apr 19, 2010

Yes. As Idiots said. Using the POV of both Major Characters is just fine in Romance genre.

One way to see how folks do POV would be to look at some of the books from the publishers you are aiming at. See how much POV time is given to the male and female character. Look at who 'owns' the opening, the ending, any love-making scenes, the action scenes, the final confrontation ... and so on.

*RomanceWriter* · Apr 19, 2010

Why would it be a cop out? In romance, readers love to get into both character's heads.
In my series, I get into secondary character's heads as well. I think seven heads in total throughout the entire book and it works.
There is only one book that I wrote the entire thing from one POV, 3rd person, but it was necessary for that story.
Do what feels right. There's no right or wrong answer. But if you feel it would be better with two POV's, then go for it. You can create a lot of tension when two charcters say one thing, but feel another. Make sure you don't head hop and you should be fine.\
Good luck!

Lydia Sharp · Apr 19, 2010

Ditto what they said above.

However, Romance *can* be done from a single first-person viewpoint. You, as the author, though, may have to write a few scenes from the other character's viewpoint to understand him/her at certain points and portray him/her more effectively from an outside PoV. They won't be used in the final draft, but it can prevent one-sidedness, which seems to be your issue. First person PoV can sometimes make the surrounding characters seem flat because you never get into their heads... you're always looking at them through someone else's eyes.

Penguin · Apr 19, 2010

Thanks, guys. I feel a lot better. I'm going to try to write from both POVs and see how it turns out.

You, as the author, though, may have to write a few scenes from the other character's viewpoint to understand him/her at certain points and portray him/her more effectively from an outside PoV.

That's a very good suggestion, Lydia. Thanks

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Writing from two POVs

Penguin

Inspiration might strike you

The Grump

Hates Marketing. Loves Writing.

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

RomanceWriter

New kid, be gentle!

Lydia Sharp

for the love of love

Penguin

Inspiration might strike you

Writing from two POVs

Penguin

Inspiration might strike you

The Grump

Hates Marketing. Loves Writing.

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

*RomanceWriter*

New kid, be gentle!

Lydia Sharp

for the love of love

Penguin

Inspiration might strike you

RomanceWriter