2.1) Point Of View Characters

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Point of View (POV) is the perspective you tell the story from. It is generally accepted that each scene is written from the point of view of one character.

When you choose a point of view character for a scene, you're making a promise to readers they will experience the scene from that character's eyes. The feelings, actions, senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, sound) are all from that one character's viewpoint.

You can write your entire novel from the point of view of one character, or you can write from multiple points of view

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You can write your entire novel from the point of view of one character, or you can write from multiple points of view.

If you write your novel from multiple points of view, ensure you don't change POV characters by mistake. This is called head-hopping and can jar the reader out of your story.

If you change POV characters within a scene, do so carefully. Make sure it's clear to the reader the POV character has changed.

A reader needs time to connect with your characters. The fewer point of view characters you have, the more time the reader gets to spend with your characters.

Your Mission

List the POV character for each scene in your novel. Does your protagonist have the point of view for more scenes than any other character? They should. Does the antagonist or love interest have the next number of scenes? They should.

If you have over 5 Points of View characters, review each one and be sure they are required. You man be able to review a scene from another character's POV and reduce the number.

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