An agent friend has been taking a peek at my first novel and the first part of my second. She mentioned to me that I might be incorporating too many POVs (character points of view). I counted and AGH! 5 on the first book and 5 on the second! The trappings of a new novelist. It must give the impression of a bunch of characters wanting to have a say.
I hope no prospective publishers or agents are reading this post. If so, no worries, Im learning and plan to remedy the situation. Ive been told that the stories are very good despite the POV issue.
Still, it's a bad habit of mine....leaning on the POV change to tell the story instead of letting the main characters tell it. (or should I say show it?)
I have read popular author's works that have at least 3 POVs. As a reader, I dont mind 3. I guess I would be ok with more if the story is riveting. But at this point maybe the "rules" are the order of the day. I wonder, do most agents or publishers disregard the number of POVs?
What do you think? How many points of view do you like to read in a book and how many, if you are a fiction writer, do you use in your writing?
You just opened my eyes to something I hadn't thought about yet. Thanks for bringing this to light...I have much to learn.
ReplyDeleteIf an author can change POV's masterfully enough that I don't drop the baton during the handoff, I'm OK. I don't like reading and then going, "Wait, who is this again?"
mommamindy.blogspot.com
It totally depends on how well the author can pull it off, and how necessary it is. An interesting example (it either just came out or is coming out soon--I had an ARC) is Wisdom's Kiss, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. I believe it used 8 points of view. And it totally worked. Other books have too many with two!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, thanks for making me think about it!
Mindy, I agree about getting confused...it can ruin the enjoyment of the whole book!
ReplyDeleteFaith...good point about how it can or cant work. It's all up to the author to pull it together and keep the interest of the reader.