Point of view is one of the trickier story elements to master. It is the perspective through which a story, or portion of a story, is told. A narrative may have one POV or multiple, depending on the structure of the piece overall. When writing with multiple POVs, it is important each one has its own flavor, or essence, of the character’s view so that the reader can easily differentiate between them. Different perspectives should not read the same or it will be boring, or even worse, confusing for the reader.
So how can a writer create a distinctive voice for each character telling their part of the story? Here is a collection of exercises to get you focused on the different mindsets of your fictional personalities.
- Colored Glasses – This will likely be an exercise in your imagination. Pretend that you have a set of glasses with colored lenses, one pair for each of your characters. Bonus points if you actually have glasses to wear! If you have a pessimistic character, imagine you put on a pair of glasses with blue lenses. Look at the room around you. How would this character perceive the room? Someone walks in and talks to you. How would this character think and react? For an optimistic character, pretend you have yellow lenses on. Now how does the room look? How does this character perceive the same conversation? “Put on” your colored lenses for each character as you change POVs in your story.
- Dressing Up – This can be as involved as you want! You can put on a full costume for each of your characters and sit down and write as that person. Or you could make things a bit simpler. If you have a type-A, more uptight character, you can button all the buttons up to your neck on your shirt or sweater. For a more sensual character, you could slip on some sassy heels and wear red lipstick. You get the idea. Wearing different outfits or accessories can help you get into the mindset of each persona.
- Music Playlists – Open up your Spotify, Apple Music, or whatever other streaming service you have and get ready for some fun! Create a playlist folder for each character whose POV you use for your story. Fill the playlist with music that personifies the character. Perhaps some sweet love songs for the female lead who loves romance novels. Maybe you have another female who is a badass warrior. What music represents her? Turn on your character playlist when you are writing in that specific character’s POV.
- Vision Boards – Pinterest is perfect for this. Create a pin board for each character. Pin images, videos, news stories…whatever seems to call out that character’s personality. Scroll through your board whenever you are about to write from the perspective of that character. Beware! This can be a lot of fun so don’t let it take up too much time. You need to get to that writing!
- Sketching – Calling all artists! Do you like to sketch or doodle what your character looks like? Dedicate a few pages per character in your sketchbook. Spend some time drawing each of your POV characters. Before you are about to begin writing, draw one important item that belongs to the character. A weapon, a necklace, a journal…whatever is key to that character. What details about it really show who the character is? After you finish drawing that special item, hop onto your computer and start writing from their POV.
Whatever your personality, hopefully, one of these activities calls out to you. Switching between POVs requires a shift in mindset and sometimes reacquainting yourself with that character’s perception. Maybe with practice, you can ease the transition and jump back and forth without issue. Happy writing!
Arielle Haughee is a five-time RPLA winner from the Orlando area. She’s the owner of Orange Blossom Publishing, an editor, speaker, and publishing consultant. She is also the author of The Complete Revision Workbook for Writers.
