I know you need a clean break when changing POV, but does it always need to be a new chapter? I have scene breaks within chapters, you know, with a *** line. Is that enough to go from 1st to 3rd in a different place with different characters? Anything involving the MC is 1st and anything without him is 3rd. Thanks.
Changing POV
- Thread starter ThatMovieAnnouncerGuy
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Hi, Movie Guy, and welcome!
I'm more disturbed by your switching between 1st and 3rd than where you do it, although the latter is critical. I've read books that do just what you suggest, and the transitions were always jarring. One, however, a thriller, used first person inside the head of a serial killer (not the main character) and everyone else was 3rd omniscient. It was very powerful way to show the workings of a deranged mind and build tension as he stalked victims and toyed with the police. So, I guess the point is, be sure it fits your story and helps the reader connect with your MC.
I'm more disturbed by your switching between 1st and 3rd than where you do it, although the latter is critical. I've read books that do just what you suggest, and the transitions were always jarring. One, however, a thriller, used first person inside the head of a serial killer (not the main character) and everyone else was 3rd omniscient. It was very powerful way to show the workings of a deranged mind and build tension as he stalked victims and toyed with the police. So, I guess the point is, be sure it fits your story and helps the reader connect with your MC.
I'm with a_sharp on being more concerned with the 1st to 3rd, but as to whether or not pov change has to be the end of the chapter, the answer is no. I have pov shifts mid-chapter, with just a line break. It's done all the time.
I've seen first and third switches before. They work fine, IMO. And no, you don't need to change chapters to do it. A scene break is good enough. But just be sure to put the indicator that you've switched right up front so readers don't go "Huh?" and have to backtrack a few sentences before continuing.
For instance, when switching from third to first, the new scene should start:
I couldn't believe my luck.
not
At the bottom of the pile, with only one envelope left, luck finally struck. Inside the dusty manilla folder there was an even dustier stock certificate. Holding it in the light from the bay window the letters IBM were big and dark and exhilarating. I couldn't believe my luck.
You get the idea.
For instance, when switching from third to first, the new scene should start:
I couldn't believe my luck.
not
At the bottom of the pile, with only one envelope left, luck finally struck. Inside the dusty manilla folder there was an even dustier stock certificate. Holding it in the light from the bay window the letters IBM were big and dark and exhilarating. I couldn't believe my luck.
You get the idea.
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Diana Gabaldon does it (first to third) in her Outlander series occasionally - and I don't think she always uses scene breaks, if I remember correctly. Sometimes Jamie (her love interest) is recounting something to her that happened when she was not present, and if it's an involved story, it morphs into third person. Maybe I should go run and look it up to make sure she doesn't use breaks, but I'm being very lazy right now and the book's in another room. I remember not minding it, though.
I've only read two novels (same author) that had the switch from 1st to 3rd, & it was hard to adjust to at first & when I read someone else considering it on AW, I thought, why would you do that? Come to these days when I'm considering it for one of my novels. Oh well.
Anyway, I think a scene break is fine, although I think I would prefer a chapter break (if I remember correctly, the novels I read with the 3rd & 1st POVs changed at the chapter only), & scribbler's suggestion is good to keep from confusing the reader (although sometimes it is hard to do).
Anyway, I think a scene break is fine, although I think I would prefer a chapter break (if I remember correctly, the novels I read with the 3rd & 1st POVs changed at the chapter only), & scribbler's suggestion is good to keep from confusing the reader (although sometimes it is hard to do).
I've seen first and third switches before. They work fine, IMO. And no, you don't need to change chapters to do it. A scene break is good enough. But just be sure to put the indicator that you've switched right up front so readers don't go "Huh?" and have to backtrack a few sentences before continuing.
For instance, when switching from third to first, the new scene should start:
I couldn't believe my luck.
not
At the bottom of the pile, with only one envelope left, luck finally struck. Inside the dusty manilla folder there was an even dustier stock certificate. Holding it in the light from the bay window the letters IBM were big and dark and exhilarating. I couldn't believe my luck.
You get the idea.
That example doesn't really show third/first...the whole thing could be in first person.
Both are supposed to be 1st person examples, DJ. Just the first one is preferable to the 2nd, if you are swapping from 3rd to 1st, because in the first one you get the "I" right away, whereas in the second one, you go deep into the section before realizing the change to 1st. Coming off a 3rd person segment (which is not shown), the reader might automatically think the next section is still in 3rd, until reaching the 4th sentence...which would jar them from the story.
Oh okay I see. I thought the second was supposed to be an example of a bad switch from third to first, as in, in the middle of a paragraph.
I'm REALLY overtired.
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