Tuesday, February 03, 2009

He said AND she said

I'm roasting a turkey today. I figured I can get about four delicious meals out of it for under five dollars each. At the same time, I'm working on my manuscript--the one I pulled out again.

So I've decided stuffing a turkey is much easier. Last night I had a thought that changed the course of my book and I'd appreciate some input from all you aspiring and already aspired novelists out there.

How many POV do you tend to use in your book?

When I met with an editor last summer, she strongly recommended having more than one. I remembered her words last night. Today I'm going back and making the changes.

How about you? Do you prefer to stay only in your main character's head throughout or do you jump chapter to chapter with another POV?

13 comments:

Tracy said...

I think I prefer multiple - though not too many, 'cause that can get confusing. But I'm still learning, so that may not be what others prefer. It'll be interesting to see what others say. Blessings!

BTW, turkey sounds good - send me some? ;-)

Kathryn Magendie said...

I have one POV in TG - the original ms I had more than one, but Vk took over and I let her.

My other finished novel has one POV.

I'd like to do a multiple one maybe one day; it'd probably be fun.

I say, do what your instincts say - do what feels right - if your one character POV takes over and wants to tell the entire story, then do it - don't force yourself to change something just because one editor made a comment. But, if that's the direction that feels "right" - go for it!

Jenni James said...

ooh! I love books with Multiple POV's it just makes it all so much mroe interesting. But I'm very sad to say that with my Jane Austen rewrites I've stuck to first person, one POV throughout them all.

Robin Lambright said...

Most of my writing has all been from a personal perspective,as I am writing from a first person point of view. However some of my favorite novels have multiple POV from multiple characters.

Just my two cents worth!

Jinksy said...

I'd probably go cross eyed if I tried to write from more than one point of view...

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

I can only work with one POV per story and usually it's first person. I'd probably go schizophrenic if I had to do more than one in each story! LOL!

Jessica Nelson said...

Hmm, I write category and I tend to go between the two, hero and heroine. Good luck!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'm not a good one to ask.

peace~elaine

BiPolar Wife said...

My current WIP (not the children's book, my fiction)includes points of view from each character in each chapter. I feel it allows me to expand each character as the reader gets to know their thoughts.

Melissa Amateis said...

I usually only have two pov's - those of my two main characters.

Yolanda said...

I have not a clue what a POV is....I think that is the way it is to stay. But I had to had to had to post...I'm fixing a turkey tomorrow!

I can't tell you the last time, it's been years. But my Man's tummy is growling for Turkey Tetrazinni, so turkey is a must.

Love YOU,
Yolanda

Angie Ledbetter said...

Hope the epiphany inspires you to reach the finish line! My womens fiction ms has one POV from the MC, but is character driven, so has a lot of input from others.

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