Sharon ReneHello and thanks for visiting our blog.
Today I’m going to share a few tips about writing in deep point of view.
It’s been a while since I’ve done any serious writing and I can use a refresher. Hopefully, you can too.
So, what is Point of View in a novel.
The writer must pick one character at a time to write through. For example, if the scene is written in the main character’s point of view the writer should only include sights, sounds, and thoughts that the MC is experiencing. The writer should not include anything another person in the room might see, hear or reflect on.
First of all, let me say that deep POV is not a requirement. I’ve read many books lately that do not use deep POV. I like to write in a deep POV because it helps me do more showing than telling.
Deep POV is used a lot in young adult and suspense books. It allows the reader to live the story along with the character. There is very little distance between the reader and the character.
What is Deep POV?
- Deep POV is always immediate and keeps the story anchored in the now.
- It is not a long string of internal monologue.
- It eliminates most problems with show vs. tell
- It polishes the voice of the character because you write your narrative as the character would think and feel it.
TIPS
Do not say he thought, felt, wondered, speculated, decided, etc. because the reader is already in the POVC head.
Use if and if only statements.
Example: If only she hadn’t locked her keys in the car.
When a statement won’t work use a question.
Example: Had she locked her keys in the car?
Do not name a feeling
Use actions, behaviors, and thoughts to indicate the feeling
Stay away from he saw/she saw. Simply state what the character sees.
Example: He heard a door creek.
A door creaked down the hall.
Remain in the now.
Reaction always comes after Action.
Example: She turned on the lights when she went inside.
She went inside and turned on the lights is better.
You can use as or when if simultaneous action/reaction.
This a short introduction to writing in Deep POV. If you’re interested in learning more about Deep POV, I recommend Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View, by Jill Elizabeth Nelson.
Please comment below and share your experience with Deep POV as a writer or a reader.
Julia N. White
Michelle Kaderly Welsh
Misha
Great specific examples! For me, Deep Point of View pulls me into experiencing the story. Thanks for your writing tips.
Thanks and I agree about the experience. Deep POV makes it feel more real.
Some really great tips here. I think of Deep Point of View as a 3rd person approach that eliminates narrative that adds distance between the main character and the reader.
Can Deep POV apply to 1st person? What about, “I stepped in and saw the refrigerator door was wide open,” vs “I stepped in. The refrigerator door was wide open.”
It’s tighter writing, but does it also bring us closer? What do the pros/you say?
Just wondering.
Great tips. Love the examples. It really helps with understanding how to apply the concept.
When I switch from editing nonfiction to fiction, as I do regularly as a freelance editor, I truly need a refresher in various writing issues. This is the best description of deep POV I can recall ever reading, and the examples are great for clarification. Thanks for sharing!