The story I’m writing has two protagonists that are both equally important to the story, yet they’re doing different things in different places during the events of the story until they come together at the end. I’m debating on whether or not I should write 2 different POVs. I’ve heard many people say that they hate when POVs switch but it’s kind of essential to understand things that are happening throughout the story. How I see it is if it were a show or game, it would be switching between the two characters (first ones that came to mind were Zuko and Aang from ATLA and Kratos and Atreus from God of War Ragnarok) so I figured it would be the same with a novel. Any advice for what I should do other than follow my gut?
“Many people”? Okay. Many people don’t like first person. Others don’t like third person. Shrug. Too bad. If you’re going to listen to all of these people, there is absolutely nothing you can write.
But.
“The Expanse.”
“A Song of Ice and Fire” (“Game of Thrones).
Just to name two long and immensely, ridiculously popular series which rotate among multiple third-person limited POVs. You can see specific lists of POVs in Wiki articles about the books.
Also, put “goodreads dual pov novels” into Google, or whatever search engine. You’ll get, uh, well, huge numbers of novels that use dual POVs. They’re even generally gathered in lists by genre. Pick a few from genres similar to your planned book and read them.
I mean, using multiple POVs in novels is as old as novels.
Final hint. Study some articles about how to properly switch POVs, as well as guidance on ensuring that each character is their own character (often referred to a “voice’) for each of them.
Awesome, thank you! I guess I should have been more specific as well. By “many people” I meant the people I have previously gone to for advice: other writers I know, friends, etc. Thank you for the advice though, I’ll look into that. I will admit, I haven’t been reading much because I’m in college, but I’m going to try to read a lot during the summer. Mainly these multiple POV books so that I can get some inspo and advice.
"Wheel of Time" was the first one to come to mind for me.
I think this is way easier to do in 3rd person than 1st.
I would not generally recommend a new author try to alternate between multiple first person narrators.
Do you think if I studied experienced authors it would be better?
Yes. Read more. Read widely, and read with your brain engaged. A question like this one is a sure sign of a writer who doesn’t read enough.
Thanks for being brutally honest 😅
Are you saying that you do want to do both POVs in first person?
Yeah, I like writing in 1st person way more than in 3rd
If you do this you need to be damn sure you have fully developed your two MCs so that they each have their own inner lives and inner monologues, and are fully discrete individuals with fully discrete worldviews.
Someone once told me to never give two characters the same metaphors, which is a shorthand way of saying don't make them just versions of each other. Which basically means don't make them just versions of you. You can get away with that with a single MC/POV, but not with something like this.
If you have two 1P POVs you have to be conscious of the fact that they wouldn't look at the same object and see it the same way. They wouldn't react the same to the same situations. They wouldn't describe red the same way. They wouldn't share a vocabulary and a tone and an outlook. Their experiences would be different and their reactions and responses would be different. That requires solid skill to pull off. Like really solid skill, so you had better start reading and studying and practicing.
Good luck, and as Ru Paul says, don't fuck it up.
Oh this shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve had these two characters for a while and have been developing this story for like 3 years now (since I have uni it’s taking a lot longer than I would have hoped.) I’ve been writing since I was little and I’ve taken classes for writing at uni. My characters are totally different with different ways of thinking, talking, acting, etc. I’ve written short one shots for them both and the people who have read them could clearly differentiate between the two.
Ok then you should be good. I didn't write a novel that way, but I included these longer-form 1P monologues from four of the characters in my novel that was also 1P. It was a really fun challenge to ensure they were individuals, but like you I'd been living with them all for quite some time, so I didn't find it hard to keep their voices distinct.
Yeah, I like to really get to know my characters before I throw them into a story. My philosophy is that I get to know them like a parent knows their child and then take it from there.
Doable, but--like Ill_Initiative said--harder. Ideally, a reader should be able to look at a random context-less paragraph and tell which character is narrating.
As a relatively new writer, I'd suggest picking a few opposing traits to focus on--ie, if character A is cheerful and concise then B should be gloomy and long-winded.
Perfect, because this is exactly how my two characters are!!
If you’re writing in 1st person, strongly advise not switching POVs.
Nothing wrong with 1st person, but you’ll jar your readers switching POVs in 1st person.
Yeah, I just absolutely hate writing in 3rd person and am admittedly bad at it because of that. And like I said, the story is really hard to tell without both POVs. I think I’m just going to write it and if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll make changes
Okay, so I am someone who hates switching POvs, so let me explain WHY as a reader I hate it so that you know how to write a book where people like me do not hate it.
The issue I have with switching POVs is that Everytime I read a book like this, I usually care 10000% more about one character than another.
So then I get annoyed because I have to slog through this other less interesting POV to get back to the stuff that I DO like.
So, if you can write two very compelling POVs where the reader likes BOTH of them and isn’t skimming to get back to the other dude, you’re probably going to be okay.
I actually sorta remedy this in my own writing by actually doing POV switches in the middle of the chapter with section breaks so that you’re never spending too much time with one MC or the other and don’t have to slog through the whole chapter all the time to get back to the other and I’ve had great feedback on betas with this method but do tread carefully with this. You might be able to create a similar effect by keeping your chapters on the shorter side.
Hope that helps.
Okay cool! I hope this won’t be a problem because I love both of my main characters so much and they both have equally interesting things going on. Thank you for the advice!
Should be good then! Happy writing! And let me know if you have any other questions or concerns on this specific topic.
Thank you!
If the story needs to be told from 2 POVs, then quit worrying about the reception. Worry about your story and what needs to happen for you to tell it the way you want to tell it.
(My debut novel has 4 POVs and I couldn't care less what people think.)
It’s extremely common to switch POVs. Anyone who doesn’t like it probably just doesn’t like reading in general.
Think about what would be best for the actual story and make the most sense. Forget about what people like or what would be “easier” for you as the writer. Let the story be what it wants to be because trying to force it will only be more difficult in the long run.
In fact, go crazy and switch entirely to a third character’s POV, observing the two mains, for the later part.
Oh that’s a really cool idea, thank you!
I love alternating first person POV. As long as you can write them with enough characterisation that a reader can know who’s head we are in, then it’s a great way to feel the feels.
I saw a video with someone actually mentioning this in a great way, why don't you just switch your Font in writing everytime you jump between characters. I thought it was a brilliant idea as the reader will get used to it.
Omg I never even thought of that, that’s so creative! I love it! I might try that
I really like it if it’s done well.
Both characters must be approximately equally intriguing and POVs equally as paced (unless it’s a deliberate contrast). Nothing is worse than being fully engaged with Captain Fascinating and the Ticking Time Bomb and then being repeatedly thrown back to Watching Paint Dry with Dr. One Dimension.
I agree with UltraDinoWarrior's comment, but there's one thing I'd like to add. When I'm reading a story where I only care about one POV, the most annoying thing is when the author changes perspectives after a major cliffhanger. If you can give readers some kind of closure before switching, I think it would help a lot.
Okay, thank you! I’ll make sure to keep that in mind
I think it’s fine. Like you said, sometimes it’s essential to the story.
It really depends for me. If the switch moves the story forward, I'm ok with it. If it just elaborates on events that already happened, then I find it annoying. And switching POV doesn't work for me in my own writing. It never feels organic for me. I prefer third person limited omniscience, where we're allowed to hear some of the character's thoughts when it's important to the story.
The two ways I’ve seen this work without being annoying are:
The pov switches but they are structurally part of the same story. For example, you end a chapter on a cliffhanger, and the new pov resolves that cliffhanger.
If the stories are structurally separate, then you only switch povs when a satisfying arc has completed. Sort of like a short story within the novel has reached a satisfying conclusion, then you move to a new short story within a new pov. Eventually they come together either structurally or thematically, but they never interrupt each other.
I have no problem with changing POV, as long as the two characters are distinct, and it's clear when you change. If their interior dialogs are different, that helps, too.
For either convergent stories, or complementary/contrasting perspectives, changing the POV can be very engaging.
But it must be defined well.
I’m currently reading a Sci-Fi story that does this - not only different characters, but different time frames - as in flashback or foundational chapters to the “current” timeline. It’s all written first-person too.
And each chapter has a clear heading of who the speaker is in that chapter. Critical for following and not having to play catch-up midway through the sixth paragraph…
The characters are also distinct - one set are telling the flashback story, another are in the current timeline. Otherwise some form of reference would be helpful - “Zach, 2011”, “Katrina, 2238” etc.
Oh that sounds like a cool story. Okay, I’ll make sure to make it clear at the beginning of the chapters whoever’s talking. I was just going to make it each character have a distinct voice, but I’ll just do both for clarity’s sake
I honestly am perfectly fine with it; I think it's a problem if you start out with too many POV switches, but I think you have the same problem with too many characters in general; two shouldn't be an issue, especially if you alternate each chapter.
I like it if done right (both characters perspectives need to be equally interesting and engaging). But I’ve heard that many don’t like it as it breaks immersion
Yeah that’s the main thing I’ve heard as well. People have told me that they were interested in what was happening with one character, and even if the other character is interesting, they still want to know what was going to happen next with the first one. I hope I can do it well, and if not, I guess I’ll learn from my mistakes.
I’m seeing First Person, but that isn’t mentioned in OP’s post?
For 3rd person, switching POVs is fine, and v common.
For 1st person—honestly, if you’re asking the question, you probably shouldn’t. I don’t mean that in a mean way at all; it’s just something that seasoned writers can try but new/less experienced writers ought not to, IMO. It can be super jarring—and, ppl typically care more about one character than the other.
So, I’m not a totally new writer. I’m definitely no professional but I’ve been writing for years and have taken classes and stuff at uni. I’m mainly asking if people enjoy it or not. I don’t want it to flop solely based on the POV shifts. But I’m going to try it and if it’s more bad feedback than good, I’ll make changes
Bet. If you do it, recommend putting the characters’ names atop each chapter. Just helps avoid confusion and primes the reader.
Word, thank you!!
Are you writing for people who paid you to write the book the way they want? No? Cool, then write it the way you want to. It will find the people who appreciate it.