WRITING MULTIPLE POINT OF VIEWS
When I set out to write my first contemporary-romance novel, I knew that I wanted to write the story from the viewpoint of my hero AND my heroine. While I’ve read many novels structured to this style, writing one was a totally different ball game. But! It can be done and here are a few tips that helped me along the way.
ESTABLISH A STRONG NARRATIVE VOICE FOR EACH CHARACTER
If your novel is being told through the eyes of multiple characters, it is imperative that their personalities shine through in your narrative voice. You do not want your female character traits to accidentally seep into your male character’s point of view. Remember whose point of view you are writing in, and how that particular character is revealing the story to the reader. Is one character cynical and bitter? Then they wouldn’t tell the story the same way a comedic character would. How one character would react to a situation will be different than the rest of your characters. Do not slip out the narrative voice you start with for that chapter. Do not.
One thing that helped me with this, is creating a character trait list, and reading over that character’s mannerisms before starting a chapter in their POV. List each of your POV’s on a sheet of paper or Word document, in separate columns. Under each character’s name, list the qualities that make up their behaviors, tics, and personalities. Remember this as you write! Is your male main character a rough and tough, motorcycle-riding, lumberjack? Well then, he certainly isn’t going to react the same way to a situation, or narrate a story, the way your witty and sensitive, puppy-adopting, school teacher female main character will. Your characters are people to your readers, and they need to be individuals throughout the entire book.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO NARRATE A SCENE?
“Hello outlining my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again.” Writing in multiple point of views requires a little more outlining and planning than usual. Before you start writing your novel, you will need to decide which character you want revealing and reacting to major plot points. This was something that I struggled with the most when writing my own multiple POV books. If a male main character is mysteriously leaving a female main character at the altar, then I don’t want to write that particular scene from his point of view. I need it to remain a mystery, and I need to record my female main character’s thoughts and actions towards this happening to her. Because of this, I must plan ahead. If you are a pantster, this part might be a little difficult. You don’t have to outline your entire novel, but it may help you by establishing ahead of time who will be narrating each scene, especially if you are alternating point of views per chapter.
MAKE SURE THIS CHARACTER’S VIEWPOINT IS IMPORTANT
This tip is mostly for novels with more than two viewpoints. Ask yourself these questions before including this character’s point of view. Will my readers care what this character thinks? Will this character’s viewpoint advance the plot of my novel? Will I be able to give this character enough one-on-one time with my readers? Sometimes the idea of including a character’s POV is more appealing than the execution. “But this character is really funny, and I like writing them.” Great! Include that character in more scenes with the ones we actually care about. Unless this character is revealing some significant plot insight, that readers otherwise couldn’t have without them, then you risk your reader not being as invested in this character’s POV as you want them to. And they may lose interest because of it.
Writing a multiple point of view novel can be majorly exciting. There’s nothing I love more than sitting down and getting into the head of one of my characters. It’s like playing dress-up. Who do I get to be today? Really get to know who your characters are, know what scenes are best told by whom, and make sure that your readers get so invested in them that they can’t put your book down.
Break the Line
by Allison Mullinax
Contemporary Romance
Fiery Seas Everlasting
Coming February 13, 2018
Pre-Order Your Copy Today!
As a pro-fisherman, Benson Howell’s days are spent on murky lake water, reeling in largemouth bass and winning first place trophies. At twenty-nine, life is easy and carefree. His only job is to stay in the top rankings during the fishing circuit, and keep the sponsors happy. That is, until he meets hot tempered, fiery haired Danni-Rose in small-town Alabama. He has never backed down from anything too big to reel in.
Danni-Rose has spent the past six years of her life burying her past. When Benson Howell literally plows his boat right into her life, armed with simmering anger, she fights the current pulling her closer to him. With a past she can’t let go of, and the sexy fisherman breaking down all her walls, Danni-Rose does everything she can to break the line connecting her to Benson.
Will Danni-Rose be able to let go of the past? Can Benson change her mind about him? Or will they both miss the catch of a lifetime?
About the Author:
North Alabama native, Allison Mullinax, grew up in the small lake town of Guntersville, AL. She discovered the escapism and addiction of writing at an early age. Today she remains a lover of reading, all things outdoors, and spending time with her husband and three daughters.
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