Speaker 1: 0:50

Writing from multiple points of view requires strict discipline to avoid head-hopping, aka jumping between different characters' thoughts within a single scene. When you do this, it creates a jarring experience for readers and it weakens the intimacy that they feel with your characters. So it's really important to maintain clear boundaries between each one of your perspectives, and not only is that technically difficult, sometimes it's especially difficult when you have an emotionally charged scene where you might be tempted to show everyone's reaction, and this is why learning when and how to switch perspectives appropriately is a skill that takes practice to master. Welcome to the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast. My name is Savannah Gilbo and I'm here to help you write a story that works. I want to prove to you that writing a novel doesn't have to be overwhelming, so each week, I'll bring you a brand new episode with simple, actionable and step-by-step strategies that you can implement in your writing right away. So whether you're brand new to writing or more of a seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is for you. So pick up a pen and let's get started.

Speaker 1: 2:01

Have you ever read a novel that seamlessly shifted between different character perspectives, giving you a panoramic view of the story world that just left you in awe. Or maybe you've attempted to write a story with multiple point of view characters, only to end up with a confusing jumble of voices that didn't quite work together. If you're nodding your head, yes, to either scenario, then today's episode is for you. As a developmental editor and book coach, I've worked with countless writers who've wondered if multiple point of views are right for their stories, and this is a really important decision that will shape every aspect of your novel, from structure to pacing to character development. So in today's episode, I'm going to break down exactly what it means to write a multi-point of view novel, how it differs from other narrative approaches and the key benefits and challenges you'll face. By the end of the episode, you'll have a clear understanding of whether writing a novel with multiple point of view characters is the right choice for your story.

Speaker 1: 2:53

But before we dive into the pros and for your story, but before we dive into the pros and cons, let's clarify what we're talking about here. So what does it mean to write a story with multiple point of view characters? Well, writing a novel with multiple point of view characters just means telling a story from the perspective of two or more characters and then weaving their individual stories together by alternating their viewpoints. Think about books like Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo with its ensemble cast, or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn with its dueling narrators, or even Game of Thrones by George RR Martin with its sprawling range of point of view characters across the world. These are the kind of books we're talking about in today's episode, and these viewpoints can be written in several ways, so they can all be written in third person limited. They can all be written in first person, or you can do a combination of both. Now, in case you're not really sure what I mean by third person or first person point of view, I have an episode called how to Choose the Best Point of View for your Story. It's episode number 90, and I will link to that in the show notes in case you want to go a little deeper or learn about that topic.

Speaker 1: 3:57

All right now, something important to understand is that a story written from multiple points of view is not the same as stories written in third person omniscient, although both techniques do allow you to show more than one character's perspective. The key difference in these two approaches lies in how each one of these options handles character interiority or the inner thoughts and emotions of your character. So, for example, in third-person omniscient these are stories like Dune, or Pride and Prejudice or the Name of the Wind readers can see the inner thoughts and emotions of any characters at any time. One sentence might reveal the hero's escape plan, while the very next could show what the antagonist is thinking all in the same paragraph or scene. Now compare this to stories with multiple point-of-view characters, like Harry Potter, six of Crows or the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. In these stories, readers can only see the inner thoughts and emotions of one character at a time and that's the point-of of view character for that scene or chapter. So, even if another point of view character is present in that scene, we only experience that scene through the current point of view character's perspective. And this distinction is really, really important because it impacts how you'll structure your story and craft your scenes.

Speaker 1: 5:11

With multiple character perspectives or multiple point of view characters, you're essentially creating separate windows into your story world, each with its own unique view, rather than one all-seeing eye that can float freely between characters. Okay, so now that we understand what writing a story from multiple point of views looks like, let's talk about why you might choose this storytelling approach. So I'm going to go through five pros or five benefits of writing a novel from multiple points of view. And the first pro is that multiple point of views can create depth and complexity in your story. So telling a story from multiple point of views allows you to explore your subjects, settings, themes and moral gray areas from a wider variety of perspectives. By giving different characters opposing viewpoints, you can create a more nuanced understanding of your story world and the conflicts within it. Think about something like George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. The complexity of that political landscape and the moral ambiguity of the world comes alive precisely because we see it through so many different eyes and each person has their own biases and their own limited understanding of events. The other thing is that multiple character perspectives also helps readers get to know your different characters' voices and backstories, which is especially useful in stories with intersecting storylines. And this is because when readers understand the motivations driving each one of your characters, their eventual collision becomes all the more powerful. Okay, so that's benefit number one. Multiple points of view can help you create depth and complexity in your story.

Speaker 1: 6:50

The second pro is that different perspectives can help you build suspense. So one of the most powerful aspects of multi-point of view storytelling is the ability to create dramatic irony, and this just refers to situations where the reader knows something that a character doesn't. So, for example, you might choose to write a scene from the perspective of a secondary character who maybe doesn't have all the information that another character has. Their curiosity or confusion can guide readers to ask the kind of questions that you want them to ask. Or maybe you have a situation where your main character knows something critical that you don't want readers to learn. Yet being able to switch into another character's perspective will allow you to withhold that information in a plausible way, and all of this helps create tension and helps to keep those readers turning the page. A great example of this is in Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. In that story, the alternating point of views build suspense as readers try to determine which character is telling the truth and which ones have a more muddled version or are just flat out lying. All right. So that is pro number two, or benefit number two Different perspectives can help you build suspense.

Speaker 1: 8:02

Pro number three is that contrasting viewpoints can help you reveal unreliable narrators. If your story includes an unreliable narrator, multiple point of views can be an excellent tool for gradually revealing this unreliability to your readers. And that's because, by switching to another character's perspective later in the story, you can show cracks in the first character's version of events. This approach can lead to really powerful aha moments for your readers as they realize they've been seeing a distorted version of reality. And not only does this create an exciting plot twist, but it also adds depth to the character development, as readers understand why a character might perceive or present events inaccurately. So, for example, in the Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, she uses this technique brilliantly, revealing how alcohol affects the protagonist's memories and perceptions by contrasting her account with other characters' perspectives. Okay, so that is pro number three, or benefit number three Contrasting viewpoints can help you reveal unreliable narrators.

Speaker 1: 9:08

Pro number four is that multiple viewpoints allow you to tell bigger, sprawling, epic type of stories. So some stories are just so expansive meaning they span multiple locations, time periods or social circles that they simply can't be effectively told through one single perspective. So being able to write from multiple perspectives or multiple points of view is perfect for these type of sprawling narratives. So a great example of this is something like Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series, or even a historical fiction novel like Anthony Doerr's All the Light we Cannot See. Both of these stories rely on multiple point of views to capture the scope of the world and the conflicts within that world. Now, this may or may not apply to you, but let's say that you're writing a story and there isn't enough happening in your one main storyline to carry an entire novel. In this case, you could use additional interesting characters or timelines to flesh out your story. This kind of approach would allow you to create a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives that converge in a satisfying way. So not only do multiple viewpoints allow us to tell these bigger types of stories, they can also help us flesh out our stories as well. So that is pro number four, or benefit number four. Multiple viewpoints allow you to tell bigger, sprawling, more epic stories.

Speaker 1: 10:27

Pro number five is that multiple characters help you create deeper emotional connections with your readers. So multiple point of views allow readers to form emotional connections with several characters rather than just one protagonist, and when readers experience a story through multiple perspectives, they develop a deeper investment in more characters and their outcomes. This approach helps you build stronger empathy in readers as they come to understand all the different conflicting viewpoints and motivations from the inside. And not only that, but the emotional stakes also intensify when the characters readers care about come into conflict with each other. So, instead of simply just rooting for one protagonist against one antagonist, readers might feel torn between all the different characters they've connected with, which helps you create a richer, more complex reading experience. So, for example, kristen Hanna's the Four Winds and Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere. These stories both use multiple point of views to explore complex family dynamics and generate profound emotional impact. Right, so that is pro number five multiple characters can help you create deeper emotional connections with your readers.

Speaker 1: 11:39

Now, while writing a story from multiple perspectives offers a lot of benefits, this type of storytelling also comes with some unique challenges. So here are some potential drawbacks that you should consider. The first con is that each character voice requires development. So one of the biggest challenges when it comes to writing a story told from multiple point of views is creating and maintaining distinct voices for each character. Not only must each character be fully fleshed out and fully developed, they must also have their own unique way of seeing the world, speaking and thinking, and this is a challenge that multiplies with each point of view character that you add. If your characters end up sounding too similar, then readers will struggle to connect with them as individuals and they might become confused about whose perspective they're reading at any given time. So creating these distinct voices and these distinct characters requires a lot of deep character development work and consistent execution throughout your manuscript, which can be a pro or con depending on how you look at it. So that is challenge number one. Each character voice requires development.

Speaker 1: 12:47

Con number two is that it's easy to head hop, and this creates confusion and weakens the connection you have with readers. Writing from multiple points of view requires strict discipline to avoid head hopping, aka jumping between different characters thoughts within a single scene. When you do this, it creates a jarring experience for readers and it weakens the intimacy that they feel with your characters. So it's really important to maintain clear boundaries between each one of your perspectives, and not only is that technically difficult. Sometimes it's especially difficult when you have an emotionally charged scene where you might be tempted to show everyone's reaction, and this is why learning when and how to switch perspectives appropriately is a skill that takes practice to master. So that is con number two. It's easy to head hop, and this can create confusion and weaken the connection that your readers feel to your story and your characters Right now.

Speaker 1: 13:41

Con number three is that point of view transitions can disrupt the flow of your story if not handled skillfully. So every time you switch from one point of view character to another, there is a risk of disrupting the flow of your story, and that's because readers need to mentally shift gears which can pull them out of the narrative if not handled smoothly. So to avoid this happening in your story, you'll just need to establish clear patterns for when those point of view shifts occur, which is typically at a chapter or a scene break, and then ensure that each shift feels purposeful rather than random. And this will require careful planning of your story structure and how you're going to lay out your narrative from the onset. So just something to keep in mind, and that is con number three. Point of view transitions can disrupt story flow if not handled skillfully. Con number four is that your characters will get less page time than they would in a story where they're the only point of view character. This means that you'll have less space to develop each character's arc, their motivations and their growth, and finding the right balance of page time for each character can be tricky. Some readers might become frustrated if they have to wait too long to get back to their favorite character, while others might find certain characters' point of views less engaging and be tempted to skim those sections. So again, this is not meant to turn you off of writing a story from multiple perspectives. It's just something to think about because it requires some extra care and thought. All right, so that is con number four your characters will get less page time than they would in a single point of view novel.

Speaker 1: 15:15

All right, and con number five is that multiple point of views often create longer books. That can be harder to sell, and this makes sense, right? Multiple point of view novels tend to be longer than single point of view stories because you're essentially telling multiple interconnected stories. This increased length and the added complexity can make your book harder to sell, especially when you're a debut author. I think it's no secret that the publishing industry often favors tighter, more focused narratives for new writers. So if you're writing your first novel with traditional publication in mind, the added complexity of multiple point of views might be a factor to deeply consider. Alright, so that is con number five. Multiple point of views often lead to longer books that can be harder to sell.

Speaker 1: 16:01

Now we just talked through five pros or benefits, and five cons or challenges, and you might be thinking okay, I understand all of this, but how do I decide if multiple point of views is right for my particular story? Well, here are five questions you can ask yourself. Number one does your story truly require multiple perspectives or could it be told effectively from a single viewpoint? Number two do you have the patience and skill to develop multi-fully realized characters, and are you ready to create distinct voices and arcs for each one? Number three is your story complex enough to warrant multiple point of views? Does it involve separate storylines, conflicting agendas or events that are happening simultaneously in different locations? Number four does your genre typically support multiple point of views or not? And number five will multiple point of views enhance the themes and emotional impact of your story, or might they dilute the focus and connection to your main character? Now it's really important to be honest with yourself about your answers. There's no one better approach to this. It's all about what best serves your ideas and your story. All right, so, as you can see, writing a novel with multiple point of views is undoubtedly challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding when it's the right choice for your story.

Speaker 1: 17:21

Before I let you go, I want to go through the pros and cons one more time, really quickly, just to recap. So pro number one is that multiple point of views can create depth and complexity in your story. Pro number two is that different perspectives can help you build suspense. Pro number three is that contrasting viewpoints can help you reveal unreliable narrators, if you have them in your story. Pro number four is that multiple viewpoints allow you to tell bigger, sprawling, more epic stories than one single point of view can do sometimes. And then pro number five is that multiple characters can help you create deeper emotional connections with your readers.

Speaker 1: 17:57

Now on to the cons. Con number one is that each character voice requires development. Con number two is that it's easy to head hop and this creates confusion and weakens that connection between readers and your characters. Con number three is that point of view transitions can disrupt the flow of your story if not handled skillfully. Con number four is that characters get less page time in multiple point of view stories than they would in a story with just one point of view. And con number five is that multiple point of views often lead to longer books that can be more difficult to sell.

Speaker 1: 18:30

All right, so the key takeaway I would say is that if you do decide to pursue a multiple point of view approach to your story, just remember that it requires careful planning, deep character development and disciplined execution.

Speaker 1: 18:43

I'd say, if your story is calling for multiple point of view characters, honor that impulse and trust your creative instincts. Just make sure to give yourself the time and tools needed to execute it effectively. All right, so that's it for this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast. Head over to savannagilbocom forward slash podcast for the complete show notes, including the resources I mentioned today, as well as bonus materials to help you implement what you've learned. And if you're ready to get more personalized guidance for your specific writing stage, whether you're just starting out, stuck somewhere in the middle of a draft, drowning in revisions, or getting ready to publish, take my free 30-second quiz at savannahgilbocom forward slash quiz. You'll get a customized podcast playlist that'll meet you right where you're at and help you get to your next big milestone. Last but not least, make sure to follow this podcast in your podcast player of choice, because I'll be back next week with another episode full of actionable tips, tools and strategies to help you become a better writer. Until then, happy writing.