Sometimes, I finish a book and I lean back… suddenly aware of the fact that I am, in fact, NOT the character I was immersed in through the pages.
In my opinion, that’s one of the most rewarding things about an exceptional book. I get to *feel* like the character.
So how does an author accomplish it? One of the many tools under our belt is “Point of View” or POV.
I think it’s very interesting to study how POV has evolved over the years. Take Pride and Prejudice. The narrator of the story isn’t any particular character. Instead, it is an omniscient narrator who knows every character’s thoughts and actions, no matter the situation. This narrator is telling the story, dropping information and thoughts from all characters wherever they choose.
You won’t find many books written that way these days. As an author, sometimes we do it by accident and get dinged for “head-hopping!”
More commonly, modern authors write (and readers prefer) a few different options. So, I’m going to walk through them (and give a few CCR examples in each!)
Third Person Limited (Dual narrator) — Perhaps the most common POV in romance over the last fifty years. The narrator generally lives in the head of one character at a time. Therefore, the reader knows what that character knows, sees what they see, and feels what they feel. But things out of their sight, motives of another character in the conversation…. it all remains a mystery. I recommend: Blackwater Ranch series by Mandi Blake, Seaside Chapel series by Jan Thompson, Cavanagh Cowboys Series by Valerie Comer, Love off Limits Series by Hannah Jo Abbott, and my own Bloom Sisters Series all fall into this category.
Third Person Limited (Single narrator) — I had a hard time coming up with examples for this! Probably most books written in this POV these days would lean toward Women’s fiction, instead of romance. If you have a suggestion though, drop it in the comments.
The thing about Third Person narration is that depending on the techniques, the reader can feel distant from the character, or very, very close — sometimes called “Deep” Third POV, if you want to know the lingo authors and editors use :)
But if we want to talk about feeling close to the character, first person point-of-view definitely has to be discussed!
To me, it feels like first person stories are everywhere these. It used to be they were limited to young adult books, or the occasional science fiction or literary fiction. I can’t remember reading a romance in first person until the last 10 years or so. But it seems like first person POV is here to stay.
I’ll admit… It’s not my first choice. I can’t explain why exactly. But many times when I finish a first person POV novel, I realize that I really enjoyed it! I think my hesitation comes from some poor experiences with first person books where I didn’t feel close to the character. In fact, I felt like I was reading a diary entry. “I went here. I felt like this. It was hot.” Just… ugh.
But when it is done well — it can be so, so fun to be *really* inside the head of the character, walking in their shoes! Here are few recommendations if you are looking for more first person romances!
First Person, Single POV — Faith and Fortune Series or In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh, or Postcards by Elizabeth Maddrey.
First Person, Dual POV — Billionaire Next Door Series by Elizabeth Maddrey, Finding Home Series by K Leah, or The Fab Forties Series by Liwen Ho.
In fact, I’ve been reading so many wonderful First Person books lately… I’ve decided to try it out myself. I’m writing The One Who Got Away, the first book in my Second Chance Fire Station in dual first-person POV. Sometimes, I slip back into third person (he/she/they instead of I/we), but it’s been fun to play!
Check out the new blurb for TOWGA from a 1st person POV:
The relationship is fake. But the sparks are real.
Can these best friends rekindle a second chance at first love? Or will they both end up burned?
Right here at the Minden Fire Department is exactly where I belong. But when I became Captain Storm, apparently it meant I needed a wife. Or at least, that’s what my mom’s friends think.
When Krystal comes back to town, I don’t know what to think. She was my best friend in high school. Okay, fine. The truth is I loved her–as much as any eighteen-year-old kid could have. I think she loved me, too.
But she left anyway.
I really do understand why. She had dreams to chase in Hollywood. How could I deny her that?
She’s here now, though. For eight weeks. And she’s taking over the fire department charity auction while her mom recovers from her fall, which means working with me.
I know we’re just friends. She’s going back to LA after the auction, but maybe her presence could get my mom’s friends off my back for a minute. We’ll just let people assume there is more to our friendship… No harm, no foul. I really could use the break from my personal matchmakers’ attention.
And I won’t say no to a little extra time with Krystal. I’m probably torturing myself. Friends is all we’ll ever be. Even a fake relationship can’t change the fact that she was The One Who Got Away.
If you really feel like comparing… I haven’t updated the blurb on Amazon, so it is still in third person!
What about you? Do you like first person stories? How about one narrator or two?
Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually her black lab - Ruby - and a good cup of coffee or tea. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living.
I rarely like first person. I prefer to be an observer, rather than in the person’s head.
I don’t first person, but I prefer others. I did like Elizabeth’s Postcards, and I’ve read at least one of Liwen’s Fab Forties that was good.
I do love third person POV, but honestly first person tends to be my favorite, especially with dual narrators! I love that you’re writing The One Who Got Away in first person dual POV, and I’m now even more excited to read it than I was before reading this post (and here I didn’t think it was possible to be more giddy about this book than I was already!) 😍😍😍
This reader is not fond of first person narrative. But have been surprised by a few talented authors, who did a fantastic job. Elizabeth Maddrey’s book Postcards is an excellent example of a well written first person narrative. I don’t mind two person narratives. This past year in our local book club, I read a story where the two person narrative was not defined. Very confusing read, which I didn’t finish reading.
Rainy day in Michigan. Good day for reading. Best wishes.
I don’t know what you’d call it, but I like to get into the heads of at least the hero and heroine because I like to know what they are both thinking, feeling & etc. I also like multiple POV’s from side characters; to me it just makes for a well-rounded story. I’m not a huge fan of only one POV or only getting into one characters head. I feel like each character can contribute towards the stories “vibe”, if you will.
For example, Irene Hannon has written eight (I think) Hope Harbor series books….her contemporary series. She writes from multiple characters viewpoints and does a remarkable job. One of her characters is Charley, who is what I call the “taco slinging, know-everything-about-everyone, sage advise giving, wise man about town” and I LOVE him! He’s probably my favorite character of all. He appears in every one of these books and I always look forward to getting to know more about him. He’s not the main character, but one of those constant characters that a reader comes to rely on seeing. Irene even gives a pair of seagulls named Floyd and Gladys and a belching sea lion characteristics…lol! It’s so fun :-)
So yeah, I said all that to say this, I love multiple POV’s in a book!
I really like first person, but I like them all, as long as it is a good story.
I love when the narrator is God within the story, he knows everything about everyone and can tell me what everyone is thinking or feeling. It’s also the kind of narrator I like to write with.
But I also like the first person when the protagonist is nice, there is something interesting in seeing the actions or attitudes of the hero and suspecting that he feels but not knowing exactly what.
That makes sense. I find myself enjoying the personality of being closer to the character, even in third person.
I loved Postcards too… I do miss the male POV when it isn’t there, though! I just want to know what he’s thinking, haha!
Aw, yay! I’m excited to be trying something different — I hope it’ll be a good payoff in the end! Have you read any of the other first person Dual POV books I mentioned?
I think that’s what I am finding — if it is done *well*, I enjoy first person… but if it isn’t? I’m not a fan!
What do you mean “the two person narrative wasn’t defined?” You mean, you didn’t know who was telling which parts of the story?
Oh interesting! I know Liz Isaacson has started incorporating more viewpoints than just the hero/heroine… That would be fun. I really enjoyed writing the prologue/epilogues from the mother’s POV in the Bloom Sisters Series. It definitely gave some depth to her character (and the stories) that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.
Now you have my wheels spinning for my Firefighter series!
That’s always the crux of it, isn’t it? A good story covers a multitude of (writing!) sins, lol!
It is definitely a different reading experience depending on how much you as the reader are “allowed” to know about other people’s thoughts and motives.
It depends on how the story is written. I enjoy them all if the story is written well. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
depends how it’s written
I love all types of narrators & books
I prefer 2 person narrator
In dual narratives, the chapter has a title of the person’s perspective. In this book, there was a break in the chapter and a switch in point of view. This was published by a big publishing house. At the time I thought, I was the one not reading correctly. But at our book discussion – all ten readers were in a state of confusion.
I have never labeled chapters/scenes by the POV (though I will have to in the first person stories)… but when I write in third person, I simply establish the narrator during the first sentence of the section.
But especially if this was first person and you didn’t know who was narrating, I could see how that would be very confusing!
Im late Funny I am reading a book in first person. A mystery and its taken a bit to get use to. I think it would be even better in third POV as there is so much happening, so many people I can’t keep straight and at times I get confused. In saying that I am loving the book.
I think it depends on the book but I do prefer 3rd POV with duel pov. I think the current one would be great as a duel first person.
I hate head hopping especially in a chapter where its not defined the POV has changed.