I’ve seen many beginning writers ask “what point of view should my story be told in?” I believe there’s no right or wrong answer to this, and certainly no one-size-fits-all answer. Many writers will start writing in third person, realize the story just isn’t working, and switch to first person, and then everything flows (or start out in first and switch to third, or some other combination). At any rate, the story itself should be the thing that tells you whether to write in first person, third person, one point of view, many, or some other arrangement. 

If you’re struggling with POV (Point Of View), here’s a quick guide that maybe can help you figure out what’s best for you and your story: 

1^st Person POV 

This is when “I” tells the story. This is often considered the deepest form of POV; it’s the easiest for the reader to identify with the character and their experiences, because the “I” and “me” narration helps pull the reader in quicker. 

Pros: immersive reader experience, lots of inner thoughts from the character. 

Cons: it can be hard to write backstory, and some other details like the POV character’s physical appearance, without the narration seeming forced or “telling.” 

3^rd Person POV 

This is when “he” or “she” tells the story. It can be just as deep and immersive as first person, but some readers still feel a bit removed from the character because of the use of “he/she/they” and the character’s name, instead of “I.” 

Pros: with third person, it’s often easier to have multiple points of view telling the story. It can also make it easier to write flashbacks or other timeline jumps.

Cons: in addition to some readers feeling distanced from the characters because of the third person, it can also be easy to fall into the trap of head-hopping if you have more than one POV character. Head-hopping is when a scene is unfolding through the eyes and experience of Character A, but then suddenly the reader also knows what Character B is thinking and experiencing. Head-hopping within the same paragraph or scene can be confusing for the reader. 

And then there’s the question of how many points of view should a story have. Again, I think the story itself dictates this. In my most recent fantasy novel The Vanished Reindeer, I have five POV characters, because I felt that the story needed that many for the scope and experience of what was happening. The sequel, which I’m currently writing, has seven POV characters. However, in my historical fantasy/dieselpunk series, I use only one POV. It’s in third person, but only the title character of Mrs. Jones is the one telling the story. 

Single vs. Multiple POV 

Multiple characters telling the story is usually easier in the third person. Many stories use multiple POVs in first person (or a combination of 1^st and 3^rd.) Dracula by Bram Stoker is a classic example of a story told in multiple first person points of view. There are many modern examples, too, of course. 

Single POV Pros: whether in 1^st or 3rd person, a single character telling the story can give the reader a deeply immersive experience and help them live the life of that character as the story unfolds. 

Single POV Cons: only one POV can be limiting. The reader can never know what else might be happening in the world of the story, if the main point of view character isn’t there. 

Multi POV Pros: this option (whether told via different 1^st person POVs or 3^rd person) is great for stories with a larger scope, where the actions of multiple people are needed to drive the plot and affect the outcome. The reader gets to experience a form of omniscience, because they can access the experiences of many different characters. 

Multi POV Cons: it can be easy to get bogged down by unnecessary POV characters who have lots to think about or say, but may not actually be moving the plot along. Head-hopping can also be a potential problem, making for a jarring and confusing reader experience. When writing multiple POV characters (whether in 1^st or 3^rd person), it’s good to have a firm grasp of each character’s individual personality, characteristics, and voice. Scenes from different character’s points of view should sound different, and not just because they’re experiencing different parts of the plot. 

The best way to determine the POV needs of your story is just to pick one and start writing. As I mentioned before, the story or characters will often let you know if you’re writing the wrong POV, or if you need to add (or subtract) a POV character. Hopefully this basic guide will help you decide how to best tell your story!

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