When it comes to point of view of the narration, you have several options:
-First person point of view (POV): the narration proceeds in the first person.
“I opened the door and found myself face to face with the biggest blubbery monster of all times, its purplish hide broken by hideous yellow dots.”
This type of narration is very emotional, allowing the reader to easily identify with the narrator and live the story as if it were happening to them. Keep in mind that the narrator knows only what their character knows. For example, if Leda is my first person narrator, she does not know what Nico the Thug thinks, she does not know what’s happening at home if she’s at school, and she cannot see herself. She would never say “I blushed madly” at best she would feel her cheeks get warm (although you can get away with it).
-First person point of view (POV): the narration proceeds in the first person.
“I opened the door and found myself face to face with the biggest blubbery monster of all times, its purplish hide broken by hideous yellow dots.”
This type of narration is very emotional, allowing the reader to easily identify with the narrator and live the story as if it were happening to them. Keep in mind that the narrator knows only what their character knows. For example, if Leda is my first person narrator, she does not know what Nico the Thug thinks, she does not know what’s happening at home if she’s at school, and she cannot see herself. She would never say “I blushed madly” at best she would feel her cheeks get warm (although you can get away with it).
-Second person POV: is rare. Sometimes the writer will address the reader by switching to a second person POV.
-Third person objective narration: the narration proceeds in the third person, but the narrator is not a character; the narrator just describes what’s happening in your story as it happens.
“Annie opened the door and found herself face to face with the biggest blubbery monster of all times…”
-Third person narration omniscient: The narrator knows everything, what characters feel and think, what’s happening far away, what happened in the past and what will happen in the future.Third person narration limited: The narration proceeds in the third person, but the narrator is privy to the thought and feelings of a specific character.
-Multi (changing) POV: You can use a first or third person POV and change narrator-character at every chapter (I’ll Give You the Sun by Nelson -1st person, present tense-, The Unfinished Song, by Tara Maya -3rd person, present tense- and Game of Thrones by Martin -3rd person past tense-)
General advice:
1-Choose a POV and be consistent!
2-Keep in mind that if your narrator is an eleven year old boy the language, feelings, and emotions of the narration will have to be crafted accordingly.
3-In 1st person remember that the narrator only knows their own thoughts/experiences and sees with their own eyes. A device for a 1st person narrator to describe themselves is to have them look in a mirror, chat with someone about it or consider someone else’s opinion.
My advice:
If you’re going for an emotional story choose first person. If your plot is an intricate political intrigue go for 3rd omniscient so that you can reveal details as you need them. I think present tense is more emotional, but if you’re writing about kids, like I did for An Italian Adventure, you might want to use past tense so that you don’t have to necessarily write a middle grade type of book.
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-Third person objective narration: the narration proceeds in the third person, but the narrator is not a character; the narrator just describes what’s happening in your story as it happens.
“Annie opened the door and found herself face to face with the biggest blubbery monster of all times…”
-Third person narration omniscient: The narrator knows everything, what characters feel and think, what’s happening far away, what happened in the past and what will happen in the future.Third person narration limited: The narration proceeds in the third person, but the narrator is privy to the thought and feelings of a specific character.
-Multi (changing) POV: You can use a first or third person POV and change narrator-character at every chapter (I’ll Give You the Sun by Nelson -1st person, present tense-, The Unfinished Song, by Tara Maya -3rd person, present tense- and Game of Thrones by Martin -3rd person past tense-)
General advice:
1-Choose a POV and be consistent!
2-Keep in mind that if your narrator is an eleven year old boy the language, feelings, and emotions of the narration will have to be crafted accordingly.
3-In 1st person remember that the narrator only knows their own thoughts/experiences and sees with their own eyes. A device for a 1st person narrator to describe themselves is to have them look in a mirror, chat with someone about it or consider someone else’s opinion.
My advice:
If you’re going for an emotional story choose first person. If your plot is an intricate political intrigue go for 3rd omniscient so that you can reveal details as you need them. I think present tense is more emotional, but if you’re writing about kids, like I did for An Italian Adventure, you might want to use past tense so that you don’t have to necessarily write a middle grade type of book.
Liked this post?
My Indie Author Guide comes out September 1st! To get it free subscribe to my monthly newsletter at www.gaiabamman.com ^_^
Who am I to give you advice?
I am the author of the Italian Saga (#TIS), a YA series taking place in Italy and following the same characters throughout their life. The first three volumes were all number one releases on Amazon and I did it all myself ^_^ Check the books out here <3
I am the author of the Italian Saga (#TIS), a YA series taking place in Italy and following the same characters throughout their life. The first three volumes were all number one releases on Amazon and I did it all myself ^_^ Check the books out here <3
