I often see the comment from agents that they are
looking for writers who have a “unique voice”. Therefore, simply develop an
original voice. Right? But what exactly does that entail? First, we must decide who is telling the story. The
point of view of the main character or characters has everything to do with
voice. It’s not your personal voice but that of the character in your story.
For instance, this is one of the most important
things in writing a successful young adult novel. It does not mean that you
must write only from a first person point of view. However, teenage readers
often respond well to a first person narrative. But voice has to do with choice
of vocabulary and style as well. For instance, my YA novels, STACY’S SONG and
THE DEVIL AND DANNA WEBSTER, are written in the first person from the main
character’s point of view. Stacy has a sense of humor while Danna is sensitive
and artistic. These things influence how they tell their stories. It often
helps to read your writing out loud.
With traditional
romance, there are generally two viewpoints that move from female to male,
usually written in the third person. They need to be distinctive from each
other even in third person POV.
Mystery varies more. Often these days, the
first person viewpoint is either the unreliable narrator who may not be telling
the truth for a variety of reasons. Most common is the third person narration.
This has the advantage of varying point of view with ease. But multiple
viewpoints have one important disadvantage: they may cause the story to lose
focus if mishandled.
Sometimes
authors have multiple first person POV while others will use multiple third
person. But changing viewpoints too often can confuse readers causing them to
reject the book. Readers need to respond with a sense of connection to at least
one character. So that character must seem real and matter to the reader on
some level. When the POV of a key character resonates with the reader, what
happens to that character is something the reader wants and needs to know.
In the 19th
century, omniscient narration was popular. The all-knowing third person
narrator informed the reader. Occasionally, writers will still use second
person narration as well, addressing the reader directly using “you” and
“your”. We don’t
see much of either one of these in modern writing.
Cross
genre novels can be tricky. My latest, DEATH PROMISE, is a romantic suspense
mystery thriller. The novel is mainly presented from the POV of the two main
characters who balance each other. Did I manage it effectively? If you read the
novel, let me know what you think. I’d love your input and feedback.
In regard
to short story fiction, editors tend to prefer one POV. Multiple viewpoints
don’t work well because of limited length. The short story works best with a
single focus.
To sum
up, POV has the reader see and hear things from the unique perspective of the
characters in a story. That is why you always have to consider the style and
vocabulary each narrator presents if you want to create the semblance of
reality, verisimilitude, in your work.
Your
thoughts and comments, as always, welcome here.
