1. Keitsumah

    Keitsumah The Dream-Walker Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2012
    Messages:
    3,282
    Likes Received:
    285
    Location:
    Nebraska

    One or two MC's?

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by Keitsumah, Apr 17, 2015.

    Currently my story is going to be told from two people's perspectives. A male, and a female. It is very much possible i believe to only have the story in the female's point of view, but then we lose a lot of interaction with the other huge character in the story, as well as a good section of the plot where the female is not involved directly.

    Another challenge would be that im changing my story from past to present tense. The female is in first person, and the male is in third person to prevent confusion as to who's who in each chapter. I;m a tad unsure of my skills when it comes to third person present tense, but I'm willing to learn, but then back to the original question:

    Should i trim my story down to one POV, or keep both?
     
  2. Ozzy

    Ozzy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2015
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Ohio
    I've read a few books that I really enjoyed both POVs. As long as it is made clear whose POV it is, then I think you could do it, and do it well.
     
  3. wellthatsnice

    wellthatsnice Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2015
    Messages:
    185
    Likes Received:
    99
    all the light we cannot see is told in 2 POV's and alternates between a young girl and young boy. They are both told in very similar 3rd person intimate perspective, but their personalities are so varied that its not a problem to figure out which is which. So id say you dont need to alternate between 1st and 3rd if you don't want to, just make sure your characters are unique.
     
  4. Commandante Lemming

    Commandante Lemming Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 8, 2014
    Messages:
    1,601
    Likes Received:
    1,306
    Location:
    Washington, DC, USA
    I'd go with 2 POVs. If that's your concept, it's not hard.
     
  5. Komposten

    Komposten Insanitary pile of rotten fruit Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2012
    Messages:
    3,016
    Likes Received:
    2,193
    Location:
    Sweden
    I'd definitely go with 2 POVs, especially if it means that you get closer to the second, huge character. Also, I've read several books that are told in 1st person from two different characters, without any problems in determining who's POV a chapter is written from. Usually the POV is indicated both by the character's voice in the narration (using e.g. different dialects, vocabularies, etc.) and also an indication at the start of each chapter (e.g. the name of the character written above/below the chapter name, or a symbol that represents the character). The latter is not necessary, but can make it easier to determine who's narrating.
     
  6. Keitsumah

    Keitsumah The Dream-Walker Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2012
    Messages:
    3,282
    Likes Received:
    285
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Thanks for the comments guys! I'll definitely be keeping it 2 POV then :love:

    I'll play around with the other MC in first person -something tells me third person present tense would sound wierd, so I guess Ill have the char's name at the tart of each chapter to clarify. The chapters will also be consistently switching -so odd numbers would the the female, even numbers the male.
     
  7. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2010
    Messages:
    15,262
    Likes Received:
    13,084
    I'd go with two POVs, both close third person, past tense. But that's just me.
     
  8. A Fellow Stalker

    A Fellow Stalker Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2015
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    19
    Ultimately up to you.

    I've begun noticing almost everything asked here can be answered with that :p

    If you write well, you can make just about anything work.
     
    Keitsumah likes this.
  9. Keitsumah

    Keitsumah The Dream-Walker Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2012
    Messages:
    3,282
    Likes Received:
    285
    Location:
    Nebraska
    I was in past tense for a long time but a trick to get the reader into the immediacy of the now happening int eh story is easier to pull off in present tense for me i think
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice