It's something we writers really need to understand and work on if we want our readers to get into the heads of our fictional characters. And to a certain extent non fiction. If we're a reader then we'll want to know who is actually telling the story.
If you're writing in first person, you'll use I. me, mine pronouns to tell the story from this very personal POV. That means you can only allow the reader to know what your character can see, hear, feel, and touch. Chicklit and often detective stories are written in this POV.
Third person uses he, she pronouns and proper names. So you tell the story from his or her POV. The reader should experience things only from that character's POV You can also write multiple POVs which I favour as I enjoy giving my main characters and maybe a couple of secondary characters their POVs.
Nowadays ( especially in the US market) Close POV seems to be preferred for current fiction. This focuses on internal thoughts and is worked in the dialogue and action scenes.
Here's 2 examples. 1. Third person distant POV: Annie knew it was time to leave before things got too embarrassing, especially if she said too much. You are reading about what she's thinking. 2. Third person close POV: She'd better go now. Things could get embarrassing if she stayed. She'd be sure to say too much. A subtle change, yes, but now you are in Annie's head. You are free to show thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, and not tell about them. And that way you're fully engaged in the story by feeling what the main character is experiencing.
For Down Unders only. Here's an exercise just for fun: Write a short caption for what this intelligent babe is thinking in Close POV. Leave your email using (at) and (dot) and I'll choose what I think is the cutest. The winner will receive a copy of my first book, Fire in the Rock. sometime after the following weekend.
Rita Galieh is now putting the finishing touches on THE TIE THAT BINDS, the second book following SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED of the Watermark Women Trilogy.
Hi Rita,
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win one of your books, so here is my entry.
"Unaccustomed to posing as a flower, little Suzie wondered if she had pulled off her disguise".
Close enough to it, anyway!
Delete'She looked forward to having a drink from the thing being pointed at her face—as soon as silly mummy remembered to screw the teat on.'
ReplyDeleteYep, the anticipation is there, all right!
DeleteThey'd told her to smile, but it was quite beyond her. For starters, they'd jammed a highly perfumed floral thing on her head and the smell was overwhelming. But she had to try something, so she pursed her lips so her cheeks plumped up. 'Hope they're happy with that', she thought.
ReplyDeleteSilly Uncle John was heading in her direction and he had that gleam in his eye. Her cheeks were about to be pinched again. What was with that weirdo? It was time to get serious and tell him, "Not again! Can't you just leave my cheeks alone?" Why couldn't he understand plain baby-talk?
DeleteBoth the photographer and Uncle John were a little too demanding. Why do we do these things to our bubs? Maybe they can't tell us how they feel, but the expression says it all!
Delete"And what are you doing, Mum? Not on Facebook again? Have you forgotten it's my dinner time? Not good enough. Not good enough at all"! Little Alice clamped her cute little mouth over her lower lip, and directed her special 'hurry-up' stare at Mum. She hoped the message would not only be received speedily but also acted on promptly.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, yet again Facebook's to blame!
DeleteEmmy was less than content with the choice of adornement.'Look into my eyes...you may not be sleepy, but your going to get a poke in the eye if you make me wear this out in public.' Surley her mother had lost her senses.
ReplyDeletenicolewatson.livingfortheword(at)gmail(dot).com
Hmm, I wonder when little girls start disagreeing with mama's choice of headgear? Watch out mama!
Delete'I said a fascinator, not flower-box. Can't you understand plain gibberish?'
ReplyDeletejowanmer(at)gmail(dot)com
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DeleteOh mama, when will you ever learn?
DeleteAudrey sucked on her burning gum. How long would Monkey-Puppet Guy fuss with her petals before he noticed the tears she barely held back?
ReplyDeleteOh, she'd make sure he captured the real ‘essence of baby’, all right. Not exactly what he aimed for perhaps, but shoots were open to creative interpretation, weren't they? She held still and focused up at the hovering lens. Click. Flash.
Yep, he'd wouldn't need that camera, anymore. His nose would take in more 'baby' than he knew what to do with.
The limp monkey hit the floor and Audrey smiled. He wasn't so lame, after all.
You mean she really "sicked up" over poor monkey guy? Maybe he asked for it!
Delete'Ooh la la!! First it was ze frilly nappy...now ze flowery hat. Just because my name iz Lilly, does NOT mean I 'ave to look like one!'
ReplyDeleteExcellent logic. "Out of the mouths of babes".
Delete'That is going to smell really bad', she thought as another explosion sounded from her bottom.
ReplyDeleteI guess that look of concentration could be interpreted. Babies are very natural creatures!
DeleteIn my unspoken point of view of your spoken point of view about me I agree. I'm cute, cuddly and content. However I cannot wait to put it into words for your hearing.
ReplyDeleteRay Hawkins
Well, that's one point of view!
ReplyDeleteWitty and very funny comments, authors!!!! The choice is tricky but I'll go with two short captions with attitude. (Helped by measuring my DH's laugh at each.)
ReplyDeleteJo Wanmer and Lee Franklin
Wow...Thanks, Rita! Considering I'm one of those people who never win anything, this is too cool for words! I look forward to reading your book.
ReplyDelete