Writing Superpowers - Point of View

 

Today, we continue our conversation about writing superpowers. I'm a huge fan of deep point of view. As a reader, I like to get inside my character's heads and figure out why they act the way they do. That's why it's easy for me to find unintended point of view shifts in manuscripts I edit.

What is point of view?

As Merriam-Webster defines it, point of view determines who is telling the story and what the narrator's relationship is to the characters in the story. The most common points of view are: first person, second person, third person limited, and third person omniscient. Let's look at each of these. 

First Person - narrator is a person in the story

Since the narrator is a character in the story, the reader experiences the events that unfold from their point of view. This creates a close and immediate connection between narrator and reader. It is, however, limited to what the narrator sees, and their descriptions can be tainted by their mood, experiences, and opinions. This point of view also lends itself to exposition and summarization instead of fully developed scenes.

Example: Phlegm rattles in my throat. Each breath claws at my chest, burdened by the weight of my ragged coughs. Beads of sweat trace fiery trails down my cheeks, as if the scorching prairie sun lives inside me. I can’t stop now. John needs the money tomorrow.

Second Person - narrator is speaking directly to the reader 

Second person point of view allows the reader to become a character in the story. Just like first person, second person creates a close connection between narrator and reader. Where they differ is in first person, the reader experiences the story through the narrator's eyes, but in second person, the reader experiences the story through their own eyes. 

The challenge with this point of view is that the writer must create a character any reader can relate to or see themselves as being. Though it can create a close connection between narrator and reader, sometimes, it is more distancing to the reader. 

Example: Phlegm rattles in your throat. Each breath claws at your chest, burdened by the weight of your ragged coughs. Beads of sweat trace fiery trails down your cheeks, as if the scorching prairie sun lives inside you. You can’t stop now, you think. John needs the money tomorrow.

Third Person Limited - narrator tells the story from a single character's point of view

In third person limited, the reader is told a story from a single character's point of view. All the narrator knows are the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist. The story develops around this main character. It can be more distancing to the reader, who is limited to the experiences of this one character. 

Example: Phlegm rattled in his throat. Each breath clawed at his chest, burdened by the weight of his ragged coughs. Beads of sweat traced fiery trails down his cheeks, as if the scorching prairie sun lived inside him. I can’t stop now, he thought. John needs the money tomorrow. 

Third Person Omniscient - narrator knows everything

In third person omniscient, the narrator can share the entire story without the bias of a single character's point of view. They can have their own voice and can share details they know that the characters might not be aware of. While this point of view offers flexibility to the writer, it can distance the reader. And, hopping from character to character can create confusion. 

Example: Phlegm rattled in his throat. Each breath clawed at his chest, burdened by the weight of his ragged coughs. Beads of sweat traced fiery trails down his cheeks, as if the scorching prairie sun lived inside him. He couldn't stop now. John needed the money tomorrow.  

What is your favorite point of view to read and to write? What are your biggest struggles with writing from your chosen point of view?

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of four children’s books including, A Christmas Kindness, released by 4RV Publishing. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three adult children. Visit Cheryl's website at https://ccmalandrinos.com or her children’s book blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com

Point of View and Children’s Storytelling

By Karen Cioffi

Point-of-view (POV) is the narrator's view of what's going on. The POV is who's telling the story. This will determine what the reader 'hears' and 'sees' in regard to the story. And, it determines the ‘personal pronouns’ that will be used.

Having this element of the story consistent throughout is essential.

There are three main POVs in young children’s storytelling: first person, second person, and third person (limited). And, in each of these POVs, the protagonist (main character) must be in each scene – the story is told through his five-senses. If he doesn’t see, hear, smell, taste, or touch it, it doesn’t exist in the story.

1. First person.

This POV has the protagonist personally telling the story. Pronouns, such as “I,” “my,” “me,” “I’m,” are used.

Example from “Because of Winn-Dixie:”

That summer I found Winn-Dixie was also the summer me and the preacher moved to Naomi, Florida, so he could be the new preacher . . .  (The protagonist, Opal, is talking to the reader – italics are mine for clarity.)

Notice the above isn’t in quotation marks for dialog. Dialog would be used if the protagonist talks to another character in the story or another character talks. See examples below:

“But you know what?” I told Winn-Dixie. (Opal is talking to her dog.)

“Well, I don’t know,” said Miss Franny. “Dogs are not allowed in the Herman W. Block Memorial Library.” (The librarian in the story is talking to Opal.)

Children’s books in first person POV:

“Because of Winn-Dixie (Kate DiCamillo)
“Green Eggs and Ham” (Dr. Suess)
“The Polar Express” (Chris Van Allsburg)
“Fly Away Home” (Eve Bunting)

2. Second person.

This POV uses “you” as the pronoun, referring to the reader and isn’t used that often in young children’s writing. But, there are some authors who pull it off very well.

An example of this POV from “How to Babysit Grandpa:”

Babysitting a grandpa is fun. If you know how. (The protagonist is talking to the reader, involving him. Italics are mine.)

Children’s books in second person POV:

"How to Babysit Grandpa" (Jean Reagan)
"Secret Pizza Party" (Adam Rubin)
"The Book That Eats People" (John Perry)

3. Third person (limited).

This POV is probably the most popular in young children’s writing. Pronouns, such as “he,” “she,” “its,” “they,” and “their” are used.

While this is similar to the other two POVs, in that they’re all told from the protagonist’s point-of-view, in third party, the narrator, is telling the story. He’s privy to all the senses and emotions of the protagonist.

Here’s an example from “Walking Through Walls:”

"You will practice by walking through this brick wall. You must repeat the magic formula over and over as you go through it.”

Wang looked at the wall. He tightened his fists, clenched his jaw, and wrinkled his forehead. This is sure to hurt.

“Uh,” he paused, “Master, what will happen if I do say the words to the magic formula out loud?”

“Wang, you are trying to delay your task. It is a good question though. Your tongue will cease its movement if you speak the words to the formula.”

Wang's eyes opened wide and he flung his hands on top of his head. Never to talk again! I am sorry I asked for the formula. What if I slip?

The narrator is telling the reader what’s going on. Again, he’s privy to the protagonist’s thoughts, senses, and feelings.

Children’s books in third person POV:

“Walking Through Walls” (Karen Cioffi)
"Owen" (Kevin Henkes)
"Tops and Bottoms" (Janet Stevens)
“Stephanie’s Ponytail” (Robert Munsch)

Be consistent.

When writing for young children, it’s the author’s job to make sure the story is engaging and CLEAR (easy to understand). One quick way to lose the reader is to mix and match point-of-views within the story. Even if you slip just once, you may very well throw the reader off.

One easy error is to slip in a second person POV within a third person story. How this might happen:

The third-party narrator is explaining what the protagonist did then throws in something like, Can you believe it?

That one little sentence has switched POVs and can cause confusion.

Remember to choose one POV and stick with it throughout your story.

There you have it, the three main points-of-view in young children’s storytelling. Which do you prefer?

Sources:

http://literarydevices.net/point-of-view/
http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/mondays-with-mandy-or-mira/second-person-point-of-view-in-picture-books

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, successful children’s ghostwriter, and author online platform instructor with WOW! Women on Writing. For must-know writing and marketing tips, get free access to The Writing World.