McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Breaking POV

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gravesbane:
I am writing an Urban Fantasy Novel (who isn't) and it is in first person. Now it seems to me I can build more suspense if on occasion I break first person and do a little foreshadowing with other characters (only a few sentences or paragraphs at most). My question is does breaking the POV ruin the work as a whole or will it be too confusing to the reader.

DragonEyes:
For me, crazy POV games make my head hurt. I'd prefer if an author stuck to one POV unless there is an obvious explanation why, such as with Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller series. In which the metastory is in third person, but when Kvoth is telling his tale is done all in 1st. Most writing instructors suggest that you keep away from crazy POVs until you are very comfortable with your writing. If you are comfortable, break whatever rules you can get away with.

cenwolfgirl:
you see i am actualy doing that with my book
its all oviusly conected and i use POV becaue i have diffrent charictors in diffrent places at the same time
its fun to right and the person who has read it thinks its amusing
however if you do it you have to be clear whos vew point you are using as other wise yes it gets confusing
what i try to do i change the chapter when the vew point or location changes that way its easia to say whos where and when doing what and what they are thinking about the events going on
hope that helps

gravesbane:
Thank you both for your insights.  :)

LizW65:
My novel is primarily first person, single POV with occasional chapters in third person from a second protagonist's POV.  Ratio is about 4-1.  I felt it was necessary in order to get some action into the story, since the main protagonist, by nature of her profession, is stuck behind a desk for much of the novel.  Obviously I have no problem with this; the trick is to do it in a way that doesn't feel clumsy or contrived, or confusing to the reader.

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