Define your book’s point-of-view

Most emerging writers fail to develop a clear point-of-view when writing their books. Learn all there is to know about point-of-view and practical tips to make yours great.

What is point-of-view?

Point-of-view is the single most important literary device you need to define before writing your story. It needs to be defined intentionally and clearly as it has a whole number of implications for how you tell your story and how your readers will experience it. Not doing this will lead to a weak and confusing-to-read story.
Although commonly talked about as perspectives, your POV definition should go beyond this. You should be able to articulate clearly, who your narrator is, what perspective they have, what personality/ tone they have and what boundaries can they not cross. It is common for emerging writers to overlook POV, however, this is the most common reason for stories not getting finished. Define your POV, learn it inside out, and stick to it.

Perspectives

1st person perspective

The first-person perspective involves the narrator directly addressing the reader, sharing their story using pronouns like “I” and “me.” This perspective offers several benefits. It allows the reader to develop a close connection with the character, fostering a profound sense of empathy. Additionally, it enables the character to be fallible, keeping information hidden or even lying to the reader, thereby creating suspense.
However, using the first-person perspective comes with certain challenges. One limitation is that the narrative is confined to the character’s perspective, which restricts what they know and can reveal to the reader.

2nd person perspective

The second-person perspective involves the narrator directly addressing the reader and describing their actions. However, we do not recommend using this perspective, as it may lead to a lack of reader connection and potentially make them feel alienated.

3rd person perspective

The third-person perspective is commonly used and provides great flexibility. In this perspective, the narrator addresses the reader and utilizes pronouns such as “he/she” and “them/they.” It’s important to note that within the third-person perspective, there are two sub-perspectives: omniscient and limited.
The omniscient perspective offers a god’s eye view and neutrally describes all events in the story. On the other hand, the limited perspective involves the narrator closely aligning with the protagonist, conveying their inner thoughts and feelings using a distinctive voice.

Exercise

Define who your narrator is

Start by brainstorming all the different types of narrators you could use. Write down various potential story snippets for each of them to understand how their distinct worldviews impact the readers’ experience. Narrow down this list to the persona you believe will do the most justice to your story artistically.

Define your reader’s experience

Different points of view (POVs) give rise to varied reader experiences. For instance, an unreliable first-person narrator can generate a feeling of suspense, while an omniscient third-person perspective can evoke a sense of awe and fantasy. Delve into the intricacies of the desired reader experience you wish to create. Evaluate and compare these options, blending and refining them until you arrive at a choice that satisfies you.

Define the narrator’s perspective

Engage in experimenting with different perspectives using your selected narrator. Consider whether they will speak in the first person or third person. Test out various story snippets to grasp how they compare and evaluate their effectiveness.

Set the narrator’s boundaries

Establish a clear set of guidelines for how the narrator will engage with the reader. Define their knowledge, what they are unaware of, and the extent to which they are willing to disclose information. Determine if they have any hidden motives or if they are being manipulated in any manner. Once these boundaries are established, ensure that you do not surpass them throughout the narrative.

Examples

1st person

• Treasure Island (1882) by Robert Louis Stevenson
• The Catcher in the Rye (1951) BY J. D. Salinger
• Gone Girl (2012) by Gillian Flynn

3rd person limited

• Fahrenheit 451 (1953) by Ray Bradbury
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997) by J. K. Rowling
• 1984 (1949) by George Orwell

3rd person omniscient

• Lord of the Flies (1954) BY William Golding
• Dune (1965) by Frank Herbert
• Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley

Craft your story with Bebop Writer

Most books fail because of common and preventable writing mistakes. Bebop Writer is a writing tool that tackles these blockers head-on and clears the way for emerging writers to successfully finish their books.

When writing your book with Bebop Writer, you will be prompted to follow our get-started guide, which will not only help you set up your point-of-view as described in this article but also help you proactively prevent the other main writing blockers from getting in the way of your writing dreams.

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