Friday, 8 January 2010
Changing POV?
You would think that with the first draft finished, all you have to worry about is editing and making the book as perfect as possible. Obviously, not if you are me. As I think about revisions and editing, I find myself seriously wondering whether this book should have a first person POV. Currently, it's multiple third person POV, with most of the scenes belonging to MC and others divided between one antagonist and one supportive character. So I have kept point-of-views to the kind of minimum.
So why you may ask am I considering first person? Okay, even if you can't be bothered to ask, I will answer.
This is supposed to be MCs journey. As there are plenty of strong characters in the book, in the third person it might seem like there are other characters better capable of doing the job MC is supposed to do. In the first person, it would become more personal. MC would relate his experiences - he finds himself in a situation and chooses to do something, and we get to feel his motivations and his feelings (of course technically, we should be able to feel that in a well-written third person too)
But I think that perhaps because he is not the only person with strong magic, if written through first person, it would matter less that others have strong magic too. Because rather than being a story about a plot or a world or all those characters (because we go in their heads), it will be just a story about MC. His situation is the only one we have to worry about.
Solution - not a solution, yet. But I have decided on a way forward. I will write few scenes from the beginning of the book in first person and see how that feels.
I am aware that my doubts maybe because I am considering the first draft where the book is clearly not what it should be. However, before I spend a considerable amount of effort editing, it might be wise to be sure about what POV I want to use.
Have you ever felt doubts about POV? Any suggestions, comments, tips?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I have done exactly this,more than once. It's a bit tedious but it often turns out to be the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteIf your brain's saying "change it to first," change it first. :)
ReplyDeleteI've not had this yet, barring one short story, but I know someone who's in the process of changing a MS from third to first.
Adam
I'm in exactly the same position as you are (though I'm still finishing up my first draft, dangit). I have a feeling I will be changing to 3rd person multiple POV rather than just 3rd person single, which is where it is right now. I don't want to do first person, mostly because I'm not really as comfortable in that POV and I don't want to ruin this story because of my own handicap. Also, by using 3rd person multiple, I can show what my antagonist is doing (which is currently missing). But rather than try to switch POV yet, I am going to finish the draft up first.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily agree that having your story in it's current POV leaves open the argument that others could do what your MC does. It just depends on how you've crafted things. One thing I would argue is that you shouldn't change POV to justify why your MC is the "one" person capable of doing "x"; you should change it if it allows you to tell the story better. Since I'm going to be doing the same thing, feel free to give any advice you have after you go through the process. Good luck.
Changing POV is a pretty radical change so thread lightly. I'm thinking of re-writing a short from 3rd person close to 1st person. I like 3rd person mulitple POV for vast, sweeping stories, where I can show multiple characters. The trick is sticking with one POV through out a scene anc choosing carefully which POV to use when multiple principal characters share a scene (rule of thumb, always go for the "main" character first and only shift when necessary).
ReplyDeleteI do like 1st person because it allows me to express the character's emotions in a stronger way, and limiting the world view does have its advanatges when it comes to surprising the reader.
I've had definite POV issues, though they don't involve 1st person (not a fan, reading or writing). Most of mine involve switching, and whether to use 3rd omniscient or 3rd close (and I think I get them confused far too often).
ReplyDeleteOne thing to consider - *every* book is the main character's journey, when you think about it. Whether the narration comes straight out of his/her mind or not, there wouldn't be a story with out the MC. If you have to stay in his head to keep him front and center, that might indicate a problem somewhere else, not necessarily with POV.
Good luck with the decision...tough choice, that.
Great idea, to "test" the 1st person with a few scenes/chapters. I think that will tell you a lot. In the end, you have to go with your gut. I find 3rd person limited the best for me - I've tried first person, but seem to struggle with it. I guess it's "too" close, for me. BUT - so many others write in 1st person with natural ease, so they should definitely keep doing it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thanks Brian. I am hoping it will help.
ReplyDeleteAdam, it's not so much that my brain is saying change it. That would be easy. But it's because I am not certain which one is right.
Eric, I am not intending to change my story to fit around the MC. It already does. MC has good reasons to be doing what he does. But when I am revising, I am looking at it logically and wondering if having just MCs point of view might give more emphasis to his journey. I look forward to hearing about how your efforts pan out.
Rewrite the first couple of chapters in first, send both versions to some trusted readers (DON'T tell them which you prefer) and see what they say. :-)
ReplyDeleteAdam
ralfast, in my current draft I have done what you mentioned. It's mostly MCs point of view with limited switches to others. But consideration for switching to first person is also about what you mentioned - a close emotional relationship to the MC.
ReplyDeleteJamie, no I don't need to stay in MCs head to keep him front and centre. He is at the centre and that shows. I think my concerns are simply due to logic. I feel that looking through MCs eyes, would create much closer emotional apparoach.
Traci, I think I am definitely more at ease with first person than third person, which is weird since I first started writing in third person and didn't even like first person.
Thanks Adam. Hate to be difficult, but I don't actually use any Beta readers. I will just go on instinct I think - usually works for me. Once I write first bit in 1st person, I will know which one is right. hopefully
ReplyDeleteBah!
ReplyDeleteWell, if you want an honest opinion on which I prefer, let me know. :)
I'll happily keep any other opinions about the work to myself if you wish, too.
Adam
Thanks Adam. Very kind of you. I shall keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteI've struggled with the same thing and had started rewriting a multiple *first* person POV into a third person POV. The first got awkward but it got me to where I wanted to go. Now in the rewrite, I'm pulling back from the characters a little and seeing where that leads. There is nothing wrong, in my book, with doing this -- I figure I need to rewrite several times before I'll be happy with it, so I might as well try it out. Keep us posted on whether you like how it turns out!
ReplyDeleteAlissa, it's good the experiment is working for you. I hope to do mine soon, and will post about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm basically dealing with the same situation with my WIP. I'm finding it difficult to figure out how NOT to head hop and still have the scenes come across the way I want them to. Arrghhh! I'll figure it out though.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Lisa. It's a pain, but well worth it in the end if it's the right choice.
ReplyDelete