Friday, September 11, 2009

Changing POV

My wrist is getting better slowly but surely. Yea!

Today, I thought I'd share a little about what's happening with my writing. I had originally written my story in 1st person, but as I've been learning more and more about the writing process and what works best for most stories, I've come to realize that this particular novel should be told in 3rd person. I've started over and am taking things from a 3rd person POV with the same POV character and only her (I considered having 2 POV characters but for now have decided against it), and it is making a big difference. 

I had my daughter read over what I have so far, and she says she likes it better. It's so nice to know that it's working. I'm so grateful for the advice that I have gotten about this in my class I took over the summer and the book I just read (I'll review it next week and talk a lot more about it.) and those of you who have chatted with me to help.

Have a great weekend!

12 comments:

Tana said...

I suppose this would be a great way to edit as well. Two for one, right? Change of POV and rewrite. Good luck to you, have a great weekend!

Davin Malasarn said...

Lois, That's really nice that you are feeling better about your book--and that your wrist is better too! This topic always interests me because I consider myself "better" at writing in first person, but I prefer third. So, I've always been torn between the two (usually ending up opting for third.)

Yat-Yee said...

Glad to hear your wrist is healing. I've oscillated between first and third for my novels. I switched from third to first in my Middle Grade, and am now in the process of switching my WIP, a YA from first to third. We'll see if that works.

Take care of that wrist!

Tess said...

I thought I could only write in first person until I had a critique at a conference and the editor told me to switch to 3rd. I was sure she was loony, but gave it a try and found it worked much better.

Good lessons and I'm glad you are feeling the groove of your WIP - that's awesome.

I haven't forgotten that I owe you a beta read. No hurry, the credit doesn't have an expiration date :)

PJ Hoover said...

Good for you for recognizing what you need to change and doing it. I need to change from present to past tense in my current WIP.

Natalie Whipple said...

Do whatever works for your story! I'm glad you found something you're more comfortable with.

I was actually the opposite. I wrote a bunch of stuff in third, and it wasn't until I bit the bullet and tried first did I feel like I found a "groove."

Jim Harrington said...

Hi, Lois. I left you a present on my blog today. Have a great weekend.

http://quotesonwriting.blogspot.com/2009/09/blogman-award_11.html

Nayuleska said...

You've identified the key point - stories are mean to be written in a particular pov.

All of my stories have been written in 3rd. This fits, especially with the numerous pov's I use. However, the current one I'm working on has snuck into first, but then there is only 1 pov and it's working well so far. Initially I nearly switched to third, but it turned out I hadn't started the story at the right point.

Alix said...

I'm glad it's working for you.

Looking forward to hearing about the book.

Hannah Beth said...

sometimes 3rd person can be extremely enjoyable. I'm looking forward to your book, especially knowing the general storyline and imagining it with 3rd person =)

(I'm baaack!)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

I'm so glad you figured this out! I think it's a wise decision, and one not made lightly. Good luck! You know I'm always here when and if you need to chat. :)

Pen Pen said...

WHy did they say ur ist person pt of view would work better as 3rd? My WIP is in 1st-I'm interested to know now...concerns me....