How many POVs are too many? - Writers Forum

Kimahri · 04-08-2008, 03:39 PM

I am in the continued process of editing my book and I was thinking about adding another POV or two just to give more character development and make the story seem fuller in a sense. I have about five different POVs already and I was thinking, how many is too many. All of these are important characters by the way. Any help and opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Erdhexe · 04-08-2008, 04:35 PM

In my opinion, you can have as many POVs as you like, as long as the story flows and doesn't become confusing. Many authors use a multitude of POVs and it works fine. It's not advisable to switch POVs within chapters every couple of paragraphs, though, that's all.

Claudia

Kimahri · 04-08-2008, 05:40 PM

Hey Claudia, thanks for your reply. I agree that it is not wise to switch POV's every other paragraph.

Ilasir Maroa · 04-08-2008, 06:04 PM

Have as many as are necessary. You might want to consider though, why you need two more when you've already finishd the story with the five you have.

Tiamat10 · 04-08-2008, 09:01 PM

J.V. Jones' trilogy The Book of Words has something like seven or eight POVs throughout it, and they switch every few pages. Admittedly, I found it a bit annoying to be pushed and pulled all around from different characters, but apparently the trilogy was a pretty big success.

Like Claudia said, so long as it flows and you tie them into the story well, it should be just fine.

seigfried007 · 04-09-2008, 01:28 PM

I'm still languishing in the middle of a five-part sci-fi series that has eleven POVs. A writer who didn't like so many POVs still said he could keep track of who was who easily because they were so distinct as people, which is, I think, the biggest thing besides purpose to keep in mind when writing multiple-POV stories.

If you can keep them distinct as characters, make them interesting to read, and make certain that the story actually requires them, you should be good.

However, if you need a glossary of characters, you might want to think about things a little more.

I've found that large casts introduced a few at a time work well compared to ten POVs are experiencing a fraction of the whole story (reference Harry Turtledove). Large casts are confusing regardless of POV status.

Malone · 04-09-2008, 01:45 PM

My rule of thumb is that if you, the writer, begin to get confused by all the different POVs, then it's probably too many. Otherwise, give it a shot. I'm sure an agent or editor will have no problem telling you to cut out a POV if they feel it is too much.

lilacstarflower · 04-09-2008, 03:23 PM

Five would seem sufficient - I'm thinking purely from a reading point of view. I recently read a book that had 3 POV's and I sometimes found myself skimming over some of the story to get back to the most entertaining POV. But it's just a personal thing.

Can the new things you want to put in not be incorporated into one of your 5 main POV's?

Ultimately, i think it would really depend on how long each POV takes before moving on to another one.

I also think POV change is easier for the reader if it is set out clearly - such as chapters rather than every few paragraphs.

Kimahri · 04-09-2008, 04:21 PM

I appreciate all the suggestions you have given. All of which are great advice and will help in my continued work on my novel. Thanks again.

lin · 04-09-2008, 04:21 PM

I'm rather amazed that anybody would try to put numbers on something like this.

Especially this POV thing, which is so meaningless. You can have EVERY CHARACTER be a point of view ad hoc. Which is actually what most books do.

But if you HAVE to have a number for things:

42

Tiamat10 · 04-09-2008, 07:21 PM

I knew somebody would say that eventually, lin.

Surinderjit · 04-09-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

I'm rather amazed that anybody would try to put numbers on something like this.

Especially this POV thing, which is so meaningless. You can have EVERY CHARACTER be a point of view ad hoc. Which is actually what most books do.

But if you HAVE to have a number for things:

42

I disagree.

59578973p22.

No more, no less.

Tell me when you can make P a number, however.

Truth-Teller · 04-09-2008, 11:01 PM

The Stand, anyone?

starseed · 04-11-2008, 12:32 AM

Ive struggled with this a lot myself.
I have a bunch of "main" characters in my current story.
Ive considered giving them all equel POV time..but then the more I thought about it
I realized I would like the entire story to be mostly from my main characters POV. (not first person, but more god's eye on him sort of thing)
I have no idea why! My story is just letting me know it would turn out best told that way. I suggest listening to your gut on this issue, there is no set number.

I don't know why, but Ive found deciding point of view to be the hardest thing Ive had to choose in writing this book. I may go back and change my mind later.

jon_snow · 04-13-2008, 03:32 PM

I'm in the process of writing a story with 4-5 POV characters, (not sure if one deserves a POV). I personally like having multiple POVs, like A Song of Ice and Fire. Into the Darkness by Harry Turtledove was a good book in my opinion, but it a lot of POV characters that weren't fleshed out enough. If you can make a lot of interesting characters that won't confuse the readers, than go for it.