What POV do you use?

In my current WIP I am writing mainly in 1st person, but the POV character alternates each chapter.

This wasn't exactly a conscious choice, more to do with the fact my characters are very demanding. They don't like to sit back and allow someone else to tell their side.

Not entirely sure if when finished I will keep this style, all depends on how it reads.

Generally I prefer to write in first person using a character POV because I find it connects easier with the reader. Allows them to live the story through the character.

However my favourite author Alexandre Dumas, almost always wrote in 3rd person.

Others may have different opinions, but I believe alot depends on the story being written and maybe even the genre. For instance, there would be little point writing a romance in 3rd person. What reader wants to observe when they could participate via 1st person?

Just my 2c worth

I feel that whichever POV I use depends on the tone of the story. First person is naturally suited, I feel, to stories dealing with emotion and character and such, but I feel sometimes it can be a bit amateurish. Third person feels more authorative and "literary" to me, but it distances you from the story: I feel it's more like watching actors on a stage. My current WIP is first person and it would feel very strange in third person, like suddenly all the characters died and were replaced by puppets. Whereas my last third-person WIP would, written in first person, sound like the angsty whinings of a teenager. The right tool for the job, as they say.

I use 3rd person omni, but I add in several pages of 1st person in the form of letter writing in the same WIP. I do this because
1. A year of peace passes, but I want to include major developments in the characters' personalities or philosophies. The letter makes something really personal obvious to the reader, but not obvious to other characters.
2. I feel like seeing the world from deep within a character at one point in the book can affect the way a reader perceives things that happen later on.
3. Sometimes there are secrets that need to be communicated, and the character is not one who will say things out loud.

I've used all sorts of variants on 1st/2nd/3rd, but rarely touch omniscient.

Third-person limited with multiple POV characters is by far my favorite. I like seeing multiple angles of a conflict, peering into the thoughts and emotions of several characters and seeing what they think of events and each other, and telling a story in parallel arcs.

Growing up reading SF/fantasy will instill a love of 3PL.

My novel is in first person/present tense. It sounds better for the type of story it is. I just rewrote the first chapter in third person to see how it sounded and it was hard to write. It just didn't work. It is more personal in first. However, there are some chapters that may switch POV. It will transition into those chapter easily. But, not sure about that yet.

I prefer first person, past tense. I also like third person limited, past tense. These are what I greatly prefer reading, and I write what I read.

Third limited, past tense, multiple viewpoint. 3rd past is my personal favourite as both reader and writer, and I'm writing multiple PoV at the moment as it's good for fast, pacy action.

1st person present for the novel to be published.
3rd Omni for the "nearly novel" in my sigline.
1st past for the two WIP.
3rd limited for the one on the back burner.

Depends on the story. I've used everything apart from second person mainly because I haven't written a story that needs it. Also because I don't think I could pull it off to save my life.

And to throw in another wrench...I write in Deep POV with all of my characters. I want my reader to feel as if they are my characters. IMO interjecting thoughts gives you so much more depth, realism. This style isn't for everyone, and is hard to pull off, but once you get the hang of it, it's a blast.
Now, because it's not common, it takes a second to get into the rhythm of reading it. And at first I worried, but I have 24 beta readers and ALL of them feel closer to the characters, the moment. Quote "I feel as if I am the character, in the room. One thought can tell me they are pissed, happy, whatever. With your style I'm not bogged down with gobs of description trying to show a facial expression or a body action. Makes for an enjoyable fast paced read without skipping details."
It keeps the work in present tense, real time too. You can insert a mood in an instant, without describing it. Here's an example.

“Hi there, can I get you something to drink?”

He all but launched out of his seat.

Slapping her hand to her chest, she jumped too. “Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

His breath whooshed out in laughter. “Hey, don’t worry. It’s okay.” If ya like heart attacks. “I needed to wake up anyway.” He brushed his dark hair away from his eyes. “A drink sounds good. Please.”

Are you who I think you are? “What would you like?”

“Mmm... I don’t know. Why don’t ya surprise me.”

His smile gave him away. Oh, my God! It is him! No way! “Are you sure?”

“You bet. Feelin’ a bit adventurous at the moment.” Actually, I don’t want to think.

She flashed him a beaming grin. “Got you covered. We have an outstanding house drink I bet you’d enjoy. I’ll be right back.” Oh, my God! I’m gonna die. Don’t act like a jerk! Oh, my God...

You know he's pissy, tired, she's excited, about to come apart at the seams.

BUT... One thing you have to think about--it's not 'normal' (ugh... HATE that word) reading for most. You have to decide if you want to step outside the box. It works for MY readers. And if someone doesn't like to 'think' while reading, and at first they will because its 'different,' you have the chance of them closing the book. That's a risk I decided to take. In the end, I'm glad I did. My readers constantly tell me they can't believe how fast the read is. Before they know it, the page is turning and they are at the end, but wanting more. And that's the goal, right?

Third person omniscient for the most part. I feel like it gives me the opportunity to delve deeper into character's emotions and extract their true feelings. I also write the occasional first person piece just to get a specific voice on paper easier but I find third person to be more challenging and rewarding so I prefer it.

I've done all forms, including 2nd, but I prefer omniscient. It best suits the way I want to write and is the most rewarding and fun for me.

Most of my short stories are close 3rd; my novel is first past, which I think I prefer.

A good chunk of my earlier novels were written in third person, because I liked being able to use multiple points of view in the stories. And I still do. I love the POV, and I just haven't had as much need to use it recently.

Oddly, all of my published novels are first person, which I chose because it's a staple of UF. I love it, but I'm still itching to write in third again.

Usually 3rd, occasionally 1st.

WIP 1 - first person (present tense, actually)
WIP 2 - third person limited.

I don't think I would ever do omniscient. Or second person.

Generally third limited, most often (but not always) from multiple POVs.

Occasionally first.

But it really depends on the story and the voice of the characters.

I started out writing in third-person, then slowly began experimenting with first-person in my short stories. Most of my short stories are still third-person, but my novels, on the other hand, are all first-person.

My first novel started out as third-person, but I changed it to first-person during an early revision because it suited the mood better. I also began by switching main characters every chapter, but in the end I picked the character whose story it truly was, and kept it in her POV for the rest of the novel. It was just too confusing to keep switching back and forth.

The first time I wrote something in first-person, I was terrified. Could I really write as though I was the main character instead of an impartial viewer? It was a roller coaster for me. But once I succeeded, I realized that it's not as hard as it seems, and it really gives you the opportunity to explore the character's psyche, their innermost thoughts and motivations. Now I adore first-person, because you can dive inside the character's head and get to know them in a way that's impossible for third-person.

Whichever seems to 'fit' the story better. Usually third limited, and always past.

Rise2theTop said:

And to throw in another wrench...I write in Deep POV with all of my characters.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you're trying to make a case for head-hopping.

My first three published novels were all written in limited third person past.

My current "Stiff" mystery series is written in first person present.

Just got a deal for a new series, which is written in first person past.

Tried omni once and hated it. I've tried writing from multiple POVs and don't like the way it turns out either. I might try either or both again sometime in the future, but for now I like limiting my POVs.

Beth

At first I only used third person limited but once I tried first person past tense, it quickly became my favorite. It does depend on the story really.

Cyia said:

Sounds like you're trying to make a case for head-hopping.

Click to expand...

I'll bite.

In this case, dialog--hopping between two characters. Not sure how anyone else gets their characters to interact in real time....

RE what I posted earlier-Instead of me telling you he's pissy or saying ~ 'His blood was still boiling and wanted to throttle someone, but decided to be nice,' whatever it takes to translates the mood, I'm delivering his mood with a thought instead of body motions. 'If ya like heart attacks.'

Not only does this tell you he's still pissy (You can't tell from what I posted that he closed his eyes to chill for a moment prior to her approach) and snarky, but he's trying to be nice--all at the same time. In 5 words. No, not in narrative description like most do, but in his head, which is real time interaction with THAT character.

You know we all think things we'd love to say, but don't. Why do I have to write 'He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at her,' blah, blah, when a good ol' 'Damn, moron,' or whatever, as a thought, conveys his feelings in two words.

Put it in a different way. It's cold. He's outside. He's irritated

You could write something like:
The wind whipping around him, he stood at the corner waiting for his bus, shivering, agitated. He could see the flashing lights in the distance, but if it didn't arrive within the next two minutes, he was going to be late for his meeting.

The bus pulled up, the door opened, but the driver kept his eyes on the road ahead. "Sorry about that. Running behind because of the weather."

OR I would write something like:
He stood at the corner waiting for his bus. Damn, wind. Like ice cubes. Feel like a freakin' vibrator. A smirk filled his face. He glimpsed the flashing lights in the distance. Hurry the hell up, I'm gonna be late for my meeting!

The bus pulled up, the door opened, but the driver kept his eyes on the road ahead. "Sorry about that." Not really. "Running behind because of the weather."

I've shown you it's windy, cold, he's shivering. Sexy thoughts? Maybe... That's up to the reader to interpret that one. LOL! And, he's impatient, soon going to be late--I just did it in his head instead of narrative description.

The bus driver? He doesn't give a rats ass, but I'd have to describe his mood, his indifference in the narrative. More words. I could have him say it verbally, but we know if he wants his job he better not. I could not say a thing, but I want you to know he's an ass. His inner thought tells you, right now-- he doesn't care, the guy's a jerk, period. With two words.

Yes, it's a matter of taste, style, but at the same time it's not head hopping--in my opinion.