Question about multi POV in Third

Christyp · Feb 11, 2012

Is it way too distracting to have the POV change every so many paragraphs?

I started on yet another WIP, but this one is flying off my fingers. I'm writing in third, using both the male and females POV. So far, the POV is switching back and forth several times throughout a chapter. Is this wayyy too distracting? Should I maybe give them individual chapters?

The reason I ask is I've seen people like JR Ward to it well, then I've seen others do it to the point I wasn't sure who was talking (usually in first person).

Opinions?

Victoria · Feb 12, 2012

Multi POVs in third is just fine, but every few paragraphs...not a good idea. POV switches should happen at scene or chapter breaks. Otherwise, you're head hopping, and that's confusing as hell to the reader.

Bufty · Feb 12, 2012

What is the reason for jumping around so frequently - apart from having read someone else do it?

Does it benefit the story at all?

BethS · Feb 12, 2012

Christyp said:
Is it way too distracting to have the POV change every so many paragraphs?

Yes. At the very least, if you need to change POV, do it on the scene boundary.

The thing is, if you're using a particular POV, there's a reason for it, right? That character has something to gain or lose in that scene. Something is going to change. In that scene, the story is about him or her.

IMO, if you change POV several times during a scene, it has the effect of attenuating the focus of the story. It undermines the scene's effectiveness in telling the story.

Sure, you can do it if you want. But why would you want to?

bonitakale · Feb 12, 2012

Bufty said:
What is the reason for jumping around so frequently - apart from having read someone else do it?

Does it benefit the story at all?

This is the question to ask. Since sticking to one pov for a whole scene makes it easier to follow the story and easier to keep a feeling of unity, you need a reason to jump around.

Sort of like painting a room, sewing a shirt, or building a bookcase. If you skip the washing/sanding, the basting, or the measuring, the job is easier, but the finished product is not as good.

Christyp · Feb 12, 2012

As far as I can tell, this will only be going on in the first chapter, and there's a bit of a break between the POV so you can generally tell who's speaking. The way it is right now is kind of setting up a sort of connection between the two. I think I'll finish the first chapter and post on SYW to see if it works as is. If not, I'll cut it apart to give them individual chapters.

I've read and reread it, and it seems to work, but as I'm the creator I know what's supposed to happen.

CrastersBabies · Feb 12, 2012

I can't read multi-POVS where the POV changes that fast. I get the reader's version of seasickness or shaky-camera nausea. But, what I don't like others might?

For me, the issue was that JUST when I was getting into a character's style and voice, it would switch and jar me. I got tired of being whipped around so much.

Unless each "chapter" is super short or something? Like vignettes? When a character narrates for a few paragraphs then we switch to another narrator to get "their immediate side" of things, I find it highly unreadable. I don't need their side so quickly. I'd rather marinade in one POV for a while. The other POV narrator can always backtrack momentarily to a previous conversation or interaction through reflection then move on.

BUT, again, consider everyone's aesthetics, not just mine. I'm one voice/one opinion here.

CrastersBabies · Feb 12, 2012

Christyp said:
As far as I can tell, this will only be going on in the first chapter, and there's a bit of a break between the POV so you can generally tell who's speaking. The way it is right now is kind of setting up a sort of connection between the two. I think I'll finish the first chapter and post on SYW to see if it works as is. If not, I'll cut it apart to give them individual chapters.

I've read and reread it, and it seems to work, but as I'm the creator I know what's supposed to happen.

Hmmm, reading this changes my answer slightly. If it was just an introductory chapter, it might not be so bad.

Silver-Midnight · Feb 12, 2012

It's fine to switch POVs, but I thinks it's best to do at scene breaks or chapter breaks. It comes off a lot smoother that way. However, you might be able to write the WIP in just one POV, is one character's POV you favor more than the other?

Architectus · Feb 12, 2012

I would also ask if it is absolutely necessary. It is the ONLY way the chapter can be written effectively?

Christyp · Feb 13, 2012

Silver-Midnight said:
It's fine to switch POVs, but I thinks it's best to do at scene breaks or chapter breaks. It comes off a lot smoother that way. However, you might be able to write the WIP in just one POV, is one character's POV you favor more than the other?

At this moment I actually prefer the hero's better, but I think that's because I'm so intrigued by him. First of all, I don't usually write from a male's perspective, but his voice, accent, everything came to me so easily. Secondly, he's unlike anyone I've ever written. He's not only not from the states, but his backstory is so unique, and tragically romantic (at least in my head it's romantic, but I also think giving someone a vile of your blood is super romantic.)

The female's side is devoloping as we get to know the male, but only because there's an unexplained (as of yet) connection between them, so it helps to understand his actions a little better.

As of now, the POVs are changing at scene breaks, and I don't think I'll be continuing it that way after the first chapter, but this seemed the most natural way. But, it's also the first draft.

Christyp · Feb 13, 2012

Architectus said:
I would also ask if it is absolutely necessary. It is the ONLY way the chapter can be written effectively?

I can't actually answer that honestly. Is there truly only one way to write something effectively? As for the first chapter, this seems the most natural way, but like I said, this is only the first draft. I'm trying to get the story out of my head before I get too distracted again. Damn adult ADD!

BethS · Feb 13, 2012

a vile of your blood

Ahem. Vial.

Christyp · Feb 13, 2012

BethS said:
Ahem. Vial.

Eh. I'm just getting coffee into my system!

nitaworm · Feb 13, 2012

I tend to write with multiple povs and like books that have them. But I like it to be done in chapter breaks or every few scenes. Romance novels do it every few scenes. In YA it happens even more frequently. So I'd suggest reading some authors that do it write, who have a strong following and try out different things. When you send it out to beta readers they'll give you a feel for what needs to change.

Architectus · Feb 13, 2012

I did start off one novel this way, a horror/romance. I did so because I felt it added the most tension between the two MCs. It took being aware of both of their thought processes. At one point, I told a scene first through his POV, then through her POV.

But if it wouldn't have added anything to the chapter, I would have just written it through his POV.

backslashbaby · Feb 13, 2012

It's a tough one. If there is really a need to do that, omni is great if it also fits the rest of the work. If any of it is just for the first chapter, that makes it a difficult decision, imho.

Remember that the first chapter orients the reader to what the work is going to be like. Sometimes I hate that about the first chapter

Question about multi POV in Third

Christyp

Lizard Lady

Victoria

practical experience, FTW

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

BethS

bonitakale

Christyp

Lizard Lady

CrastersBabies

Burninator!

CrastersBabies

Burninator!

Silver-Midnight

Architectus

Christyp

Lizard Lady

Christyp

Lizard Lady

BethS

Christyp

Lizard Lady

nitaworm

AW Addict

Architectus

backslashbaby

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Question about multi POV in Third

Lizard Lady

practical experience, FTW

Where have the last ten years gone?

Lizard Lady

Burninator!

Burninator!

Lizard Lady

Lizard Lady

Lizard Lady

AW Addict

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