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Post by thewordcrafter on Dec 25, 2009 17:20:11 GMT -5
I'm working on the second book of a series. In the first book I set a standard POV, limited 3rd person, centered around my main character. The entire book followed that POV. Now in the second book, I'm struggling with wanting to write scenes from the POV of different characters. Later in the series outlines, I will definately need to switch POV.
So the question is this: Since I set the standard for POV in the first book, will I be breaking rules if I deviate in the others? Should I rewrite the scenes and present the information in such a way as to maintain the original POV?
I fear I may risk losing or changing the "voice" of these books if I switch POVs now, but for dramatic effect a different POV in a few scenes may be better. And the initial POV would still remain the dominant POV, so would it be awkward to throw in a few haphazard scenes in a different POV? What are your thoughts?
(Sorry I'm so vague... but the first book is still in the Premise Contest.)
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Post by Grace Bridges on Dec 25, 2009 18:11:39 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry about it. Look at the Pendragon series by Stephen Lawhead as an example: Book 1 Taliesin: 3rd person, 2 different POVs Book 2 Merlin: 1st person (Merlin) Book 3 Arthur: 1st person, 3 different narrators (not Merlin) Book 4 Pendragon: 1st person (Merlin) Book 5 Grail: 1st person (Gwalchavad) Ok, I see there is a definite bias towards 1st person  but you see the variety of people's perspectives he's used there. The differences are even more dramatic in the King Raven series, switching at times between first and third person, so smoothly that it's barely noticeable. Not that I'm advocating that; it's best left to the pros! My own first book was 1st person, and its sequel is 3rd and "deep", while another I'm working on is 3rd with a few different POVs. I reckon the main thing is to do it well, whatever you do. As to changing the voice of the books, well, you're the author - you get to choose! |
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Post by thewordcrafter on Dec 25, 2009 18:32:02 GMT -5
Hmm... guess I'll try it for the first and second drafts and see if my beta readers have any problems with it. Maybe by then I'll be published (hint, hint, Jeff) and can get a more professional beta reader before moving on to the 3rd and 4th drafts. (Yes, I do at least 4. Is that normal?)
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Post by juniperlee on Dec 25, 2009 20:21:00 GMT -5
Well the Twilight series switched 1st person POV in the middle of the final book of the series and look how well that turned out...I don't thinking switching up your POV is bad as long as your character's "voice" is strong. Meaning that if you switch POV the reader feels like they are in the head of a totally different person...does that make sense? Good luck in the Premise Contest! Maybe if we all band together we can convince Jeff to publish more then 6 novels a year |
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Post by journeyman on Dec 25, 2009 20:53:24 GMT -5
I think you could have a primary POV with several supporting POV. The Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian does this quite well. Worth a look if you are having doubts.
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Post by thewordcrafter on Dec 25, 2009 21:27:42 GMT -5
juniperlee> Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not going to use Twilight as an example of what to do. And the POV change in the final book really bugged me, whether it worked out or not.
journeyman> the question is not whether or not I feel comfortable using different POVs. But rather I've established a single POV in the first book and I'm wondering if it would be acceptable to deviate in the sequel.
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Post by juniperlee on Dec 26, 2009 7:08:58 GMT -5
juniperlee> Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not going to use Twilight as an example of what to do. And the POV change in the final book really bugged me, whether it worked out or not. No troubles wordcrafter! The POV switch in Twilight annoyed me as well, but my point is if you have fans who love your work they will still be fans even if you switch up your POV. Could you possibly have a different POV for each book of the series? That might make for an interesting read...being able to see the story unfold from many different angles. Just a thought. |
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Post by Kristen on Dec 26, 2009 22:42:50 GMT -5
I think Grace gave a great example of the fact that all the books in a series don't need to have the same number of POV characters in each book. I think if Book One has a single POV character and Book Two has multiple POV characters, readers won't mind as long as the POV characters need to be POV characters. I mean, if that's how the story needs to be told, then tell the story that way.
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Post by beckyminor on Dec 29, 2009 13:03:03 GMT -5
I hope everybody here is right, since I also have the intention of switching primary POV characters for the third book of my series. (That is, when I sit down and WRITE the thing. Seems so far off with the editing and publishing hunt for 1 and 2.)
But I think the examples other folks here have given are awesome! They set the precedent of successful series utilizing a change in POV. Best of luck with framing the stories that change viewpoint characters!
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Post by Grace Bridges on Dec 29, 2009 18:21:58 GMT -5
Four drafts is pretty normal for sure. Many people do far more than that.
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but you see the variety of people's perspectives he's used there. 
