Point of view (POV) is frequently overlooked or taken for granted by readers, but for writers it is a huge choice and a heavy responsibility. Consider the popular novel Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. The novel is written in first person, as if it were a real memoir. It reads so convincingly that many people were astounded to recall that they had picked it out in the fiction section. Golden’s choice of POV with the deeply intimate first person narration (the I-voice) contributed to its success and believability. Imagine for a moment if this novel had been written in third person or second person. Would it have been as successful?
Understand the Three Points of View Before Deciding
Beginning writers prefer the first person I-voice, but that doesn’t mean it is the best choice. Writers must consider their story and the different types of POV that they can choose from. Does the story follow multiple characters? If this is the case then first person is not the right choice for the story.
Using Memoirs of a Geisha again, if the story had revolved around multiple characters then the first person narrative would no longer be plausible. At times this obstacle can be avoided by rewriting and exposing a vital event that the narrator was absent from by another method. Yet this risks the chance of diminishing the reader’s enjoyment or understanding of the story.
Few writers end up choosing the odd second person voice to tell a story. There are a few examples of it, but generally this form of narration is limited to self-help and do-it-yourself manuals. Some people may recall it being used by the popular Goosebumps book series for children in interactive books where the reader chooses an outcome.
The Freedoms of Third Person
Third person is usually the favorite of most writers. Why is this? Anyone that has ever tried to tell a story will at once be able to list several reasons why. Third person has varied subgroups that writers can choose from, restricting freedom somewhat, or widening it into godlike proportions. The basic freedom provided by third person is the ability of the author to follow multiple characters to let the reader view different events of a story from new and changing perspectives, increasing enjoyment and entertainment. Because of this added freedom, many writers inevitably choose third person to relay their stories.
To learn more about third person check out Third Person Point of View.
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