Tag: POV

Do you want to write stronger first person narrative?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Ever feel like your first person POV is a little weak?

Me too!

I love finding just the right information at just the right time.

Recently, I posted thoughts on writing in different point of views, and what do you know…

I opened my email and read a post by Janice Hardy about writing in the 1st person. I love tips and tricks that make writing easier and hers are top-notch.

Here is what I learned reading her post.

  • Know when the story happened.
    • Is character remember or experiencing the events?
    • Current in the moment events and the protagonist is in the dark as much as the reader.
  • Know how much distance is between my character and the events.
    • Distance in time and space determine the details.
    • Distance determines how fresh their wounds or experiences.
  • Know how objective or emotional my character is because of the events.
    • Time and distance can make details fade unless something happens to jog memories.
  • It’s important to decide if my protagonist is “in the moment,” “reflecting,” or retrospective.”
    • Where the protagonist is in their life determines how to present the story.
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Click on the link at the bottom and read Ms. Hardy’s post.

Tell me what you think?

Is this a new tip for you? Or old news?

Leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts. 

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting . To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or follow me on StumbleUpon,  on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

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A Simple Trick to a Stronger First Person Narrative by Janice Hardy

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Do you have a favorite point of view?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

In what POV do you write?

Which do you prefer, 1st, 2nd or 3rd?

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I find that most of the time I gravitate toward 1st, especially when writing children’s books. But sometimes I let the character pick.

Sound crazy? Sometimes I think so. But if I start out in one POV and it doesn’t flow, gets difficult, I change to another. This gives me a different perspective. Let’s me see my characters from a different angle. Often times, my first instinct was right and I go back to the original POV and see what stopped the action. Usually, it wasn’t the POV it was something else that needed fixing.

Doing this exercise helps me see what needs adjusting. Where I went off the rails. I’m not saying one is better than the other because I write in both. To me, the story and the characters determine which POV  I use.

What I like/dislike about 1st and 3rd POV:

  • I like the intimacy of 1st.
    • This can be a two/edged sword.
  • The objectivity of 3rd.
    • Not into the omnipresence/God-like view.
  • Freedom of being all knowing in 3rd.
    • The responsibility of being all knowing.

So I guess that means there is no right or wrong point of view. But how to decide? Me, I let my characters show the way.

Do you think a writer should stick to one POV in all of their stories?

How do you decide which POV to use?

Want to know more about Point of View? Click on the links below.

I love comments, so tell me what you think about POVs. 

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting . To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or follow me on StumbleUpon,  on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

3rd Person vs. 1st Person – Which Is Best? – Novel Writing Help

What Point of View Should You Use in Your Novel?  (First Person? Third Person?) By: 

First or Third? by  TARA K. HARPER