Comments on: 5 Lessons in First Person POV

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 00:27:21 +0000

Thank you so much for this post! Very well written and it made me want to buy this book.
I stumbled upon your blog because I am struggling to decide if I should use the first or third POV. I want to alternate between a male and a female characters. Your lesson No 3 made me think because I keep wondering how do I do to show clearly that the girl is the main character given that they will both have a similar “air time” if that makes sense.
Do you have any examples or advice on dual POVs where the main one is clearly showing?

Thanks in advance and keep writing!

Jen

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 23:02:14 +0000

In reply to Sherri. Well, I will keep my fingers crossed that the flare of inspiration strikes for me!!

By: Sherri

Sherri — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 09:46:00 +0000

In reply to Sacha Black.

Oh that’s a shame, I hate it when that happens. So hard to keep away from spoilers these days isn’t it? Never say never Sacha, writing takes us down some very surprising and challenging paths, so I’m discovering… 🙂

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 22:03:45 +0000

In reply to Sherri.

Hi Sherri, thank you for taking the time to read it. Ahhh yes, unfortunately I made the error of watching the film first, also, someone told me the twist, so it kind of took the fun out of it anyway but that is a great example. Agreed, the POV may well have put me off before I read Breathe, but actually I think I would be much more adventurous now I read that book. And actually, I might even attempt it one day… possibly….maybe if Im brave enough!!!!

By: Sherri

Sherri — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:40:58 +0000

Sacha, this is another really helpful post, thank you. I kept thinking of ‘Gone Girl’ which I read a few months ago, making sure not to see the film first, of course! I was not expecting the two POVs, but you make a very good point here about it working better if the two characters are very different and male and female. In this case, it worked for me with GG because of the great story and I can see why it had to be done that way, building the true character of Amy for the reader so we could see who she really was. It’s done very cleverly but I normally would be put off by more than one POV. But then again, as you say, we read about writing rules and then we break them anyway…and if it works, then it works… 🙂

By: You Need To Try This Guaranteed Method of Creating Depth In Your Writing | Sacha Black

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 08:00:23 +0000

[…] can read the 5 lessons I learnt about the first person POV from reading that book by clicking the […]

By: Sacha Black

Sacha Black — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 09:24:02 +0000

In reply to Sophie.

Hey Sophie, glad you liked the post. I think most YA books are written in the first person POV, although not all of them. It’s a closer perspective, and by the very nature that you are only seeing the story through one persons eyes, its deeper. I am going to think about your question, when people ask me questions about advice, I usually mull them over, and then work up a post for a couple weeks time, so if you hang about or follow my blog, hopefully in a few weeks I will have a good answer for you. But off the top of my head I would say its all about emotion. Giving a story depth is about showing the range of emotions that character feels – usually conflicting too – and definitely conflicting in YA stories. If you know what your protagonists positive traits are – do you similarly know what her negative ones are? We all have them and its just as important that a protagonist has them – showing their bad side just as much as their good gives them depth, and also shows that no matter how consistent a person we are, all humans (characters) can be pushed to react to a bad situation and thats when they behave inconsistently. Its kind of ironic, but sometimes behaving out of character makes them MORE of a character and more consistent to your original design. Hope that helps, but as I say If you stick around I’ll draw something proper up in a few weeks for you.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 02:05:23 +0000

This post was very helpful! I’m fifteen years old, and I love writing. For the past three years, I’ve been working on my own adventure/fantasy/romance novel. I was inspired to start my own book when I noticed YA fiction is lacking morally-upright books that are still action-packed, intense, and captivating.

Since my main character is incredibly round, complicated and dynamic, I’ve found that the story is easiest to follow from her first person POV. It’s a thrilling story! I want to share it with the world, but there’s still so much to work through in my head. After completing a short story and first draft, I am now working on my second draft, but I’m struggling to find her true voice. Do you have any advice for keeping the story’s POV intriguing and deep, but still consistent to my main character?

By: 4 Mistakes to Avoid When Translating Research into Fiction | Sacha Black

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Translating Research into Fiction | Sacha Black — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 08:00:41 +0000

[…] in a new way, a kind of quick fire lessons learnt thing. You can see old ones here: 5 Lessons in First Person POV & How to Snag A Publisher First Time With Your […]

By: Sarah Brentyn

Sarah Brentyn — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 04:56:01 +0000

In reply to Sacha Black. *gasp* You didn't! ?