Sep
POV struggles
Yes, I’m having POV struggles. Not the “head hopping” type (as I like to think that I have a good handle on that), but the decision of which POV to start a particular scene. I’ve heard the advice of “which character has the most to lose?”, but in the scene that I’m struggling with, I originally started it in my hero’s POV, but it just didn’t “feel right” to me, so I switched it to my heroine’s. Now, I’m positive that I want to end this scene in my hero’s POV for a particular reason, but is it okay to switch POVs in mid-scene? Some people say it’s a no-no, but I’ve read plenty of books where this happens. Of course, they’re also best-selling authors. 
So, what do you think? Do you ever struggle with this? How do you get through it? Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Well I’m one of those that enjoy reading how everyone is feeling about something. So to me, it’s perfectly fine as long as you put in those famous little *** marks.
In a strong scene, when both characters have strong emotions or reactions, I think it is almost needed to show how the other is feeling about whats going on, or what their thoughts are.
I like them from both a reader pov and a writer pov. So there is my view on pov. Haha!
September 27th, 2006 at 8:31 amSo to me, it’s perfectly fine as long as you put in those famous little *** marks.
I want to say JennaP. said the same thing some weeks ago at her own blog. Andrea, I think you can break a strong scene in two if it’s important for the reader to know what the H/H are both thinking. I’m a POV purist mostly because I would get so confused myself if I attempted to mix POVs in a scene.
Since I know you’ve read Gaelen Foley’s Lord of Fire (Lucien’s story) do you recall or maybe you could scan it quickly…when Lucien invites Alice to watch him exercise? The scene starts with Alice’s POV where she’s annoyed he’s making her watch him swordfight with his buddies. Then the scene breaks to Lucien’s POV where he’s doing the happy dance because he KNOWS Alice was watching his every move and now has decided she needs to meet someone who very important to Lucien. Am I making sense? AND no, I don’t think I’ve given away spoilers for this particular book.
So I say go for it, break the scene, let’s see what happens. Good question, btw.
Isabel
September 27th, 2006 at 9:14 amI say break and shift when it makes sense to do so. I don’t worry about it. I don’t agonize about it. Heck, I mostly don’t even think about it. I just write.
And in all the comments I’ve gotten over the years from contests and such I never once had anyone say anything about my switching POV in the middle of a scene.
I personally believe that switching POV in the middle of something emotional, or action packed, or sensual, etc. can really liven up the pace and keep the reader glued to the pages.
September 27th, 2006 at 10:28 amYou need to decide which charachtr has the most at stake at that moment. And switching POV, in my opinion, in the middle of a scene can be okay, but only after a lenghty time in the previous character’s head, but you hav a handle on the head hopping thing, so you already know this. Just be sure to make the transition smooth.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:42 amI think that whatever *you* as the writer feels is right, that’s what you go for. Besides, there’s always revisions if it turns out you don’t like it that way
I generally switch perspectives with scene breaks, or sometimes with ***, but to me the *** requires more than a POV change, I usually prefer to break the scene entirely with the little stars.
If a scene seems to require it, I do break POV in the middle. Reader’s catch on quicker than some people give them credit for I think. As long as you make sure that it’s obvious when you change POV, I don’t think it’s a problem. (Usually when everything has been Heroine thought this or that and then suddenly it says Hero thought that… it’s a big hint to the reader that POV has changed
)
Emily
September 27th, 2006 at 11:45 amThis post has been removed by a blog administrator.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:47 amOops, sorry for the double posting. My internet was acting up there for a moment.
Emily
September 27th, 2006 at 11:49 amI got you covered Emily.
September 27th, 2006 at 1:13 pmHey PEOPLE! I’m back. First of all, I’m with everyone else in saying if it works for the story, go with it. SECOND.
For those of you playing FanLit, please please please go vote for the Chapter 2 finals! I’m in! w00t
September 27th, 2006 at 4:37 pmHOLY COW!!! LACEY!!!! I’m going to sneak out to go check it out…
Congrats
Isabel
September 27th, 2006 at 5:01 pmAndrea, heck I change POVs in my writing too in the same scene, and it always seems to work out just fine.
Do what YOU want to do, and don’t worry about what other people, or books intimidate you. Remember, this is YOUR book, and you can change POVs in a scene. I’ve read a snipit of your writing, and you are talented, just trust your insticts, and your characters will help you along the way as well.
Michelle
September 27th, 2006 at 6:17 pmThanks, ladies, for all of your sound advice. I knew I could count on y’all to help me feel better.
September 28th, 2006 at 7:56 amAndrea