How do you choose the right point of view for your narrative?

Start by understanding the different types of POVs: first person, second person, and third person (limited and omniscient). Each offers a unique perspective and level of intimacy with the reader. Personal experience: I found first-person POV effective for deep character exploration, providing a direct window into the protagonist's thoughts and emotions. This choice can create a strong connection between the reader and the character.

It begins with selecting the appropriate point of view (POV) for your narrative. Here's a simple breakdown of each: First-Person: The narrator is a part of the story, using "I" or "we" Pros: Establishes a personal connection Use Cases: Suited for personal blogs, brand storytelling, and any narrative requiring a personal touch Second-Person: The narrator directly addresses the reader using "you" Pros: Engages the reader Use Cases: Well-suited for direct marketing, interactive fiction, and self-help guides Third-Person: The narrator is external to the story, using "he", "she", "they", or "it" Pros: Provides a broad perspective Use Cases: Ideal for objective reporting, academic writing, formal content, and fiction

Consider your audience's preferences and expectations when choosing a POV. Different genres and readerships have varying standards and desires. Personal experience: when writing young adult fiction, I opted for first-person POV, as it tends to resonate well with younger readers by offering a more immersive and relatable experience. Understanding your audience ensures that your narrative style aligns with their tastes.

Identifying an audience or building a customer persona is key to building and keeping an audience. This should include items like: Demographics: Age, gender, location, education level, and occupation. Psychographics: Interests, values, attitudes, and lifestyles. Preferences: Content consumption habits, preferred formats (text, video, audio), and engagement levels. Build yourself a dashboard to keep track of key metrics. Pro tip: Growth - Engagement - Monetization - In that order always.

Align the POV with your narrative goals. Determine what you want to achieve with your story—intimacy, reliability, suspense, or an overarching view of multiple characters. Personal experience: for a mystery novel, I used third-person limited to maintain suspense and reveal critical information gradually. This alignment of POV with narrative goals can significantly enhance the storytelling impact.

Different content types might require different POVs. For instance, personal essays or memoirs benefit from a first-person POV, while business reports might use third-person for objectivity. Personal experience: in writing a memoir, I used first-person POV to share personal experiences authentically. Matching the POV to the content type ensures coherence and appropriateness in narrative style.

Evaluate the flexibility you need in your narrative. Some stories benefit from the all-knowing omniscient narrator, while others thrive on the limited perspective of a single character. Personal experience: in a complex fantasy series, I used third-person omniscient to seamlessly switch between character viewpoints and plotlines. Flexibility in POV can enhance the depth and breadth of your storytelling.

Experiment with different POVs to see which one best suits your story. Write key scenes from multiple perspectives to gauge the impact on narrative tone and engagement. Personal experience: I drafted several chapters of a novel in both first and third person to determine which POV conveyed the story more effectively. Testing and refining help identify the most compelling way to present your narrative.

Narrative Consistency Ensure the chosen POV remains consistent throughout the narrative to avoid confusing the reader. Ethical Considerations Be mindful of cultural sensitivities and ethical storytelling practices, especially in first-person narratives that may involve personal or sensitive topics. By taking a systematic approach to choosing the right POV, you can craft narratives that resonate with your audience, align with your goals, and adapt to various content types. Each step, from understanding your audience to testing and refining your choice, plays a crucial role in creating effective and engaging content.