#139: 5 Multi POV Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)
whatshot 8 snips
Apr 23, 2024
Learn about the 5 most common multi POV mistakes writers make and how to avoid them. From including too many POV characters to not tying storylines together, this episode provides valuable insights for crafting engaging narratives.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Limit Multi POV Characters
Include only multi POV characters who have their own arc and a thematic relevance.
Avoid adding characters just to convey information or create suspense without purpose.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Develop Each POV Character
Develop each POV character like they're the protagonist of their own story.
Ensure distinct goals, motivations, and voices to prevent reader confusion.
insights INSIGHT
Intersect Storylines for Cohesion
Multi POV characters' storylines should intersect through shared conflict or relationships.
This weaving creates a cohesive story, unlike dual timeline novels which run parallel.
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Telling a story through multiple viewpoints can be a great way to create a more expansive (and objective) look at your characters, world, plot, and/or theme. But with each additional viewpoint character you add to your story, the more room there is for mistakes. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 most common multi POV mistakes writers make and how to avoid them in your draft.
Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[2:10] Mistake #1: Including too many POV characters without an intentional reason for including each one.
[6:10] Mistake #2: Not developing each POV character as if they were the protagonist of their own story—they lack their own goal, motivation, and conflict.
[9:01] Mistake #3: Not tying the characters' storylines together via a common plot problem, a central relationship, or binding their fates together.
[11:47] Mistake #4: Head hopping between different POV characters without making the switch clear to the reader.
[14:56] Mistake #5: Rehashing the same scene from different POVs without offering the reader new and potent information.
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