We've all heard it said before: There are two sides to every story. Sometimes writers take this s adage quite literally when they decide the novel they're dreaming up would best be told through two different perspectives. Writing from the vantage point of two narrators, or dual points of view (POVS), can add a richness and complexity to your story that a single point of view may not. Imagine if we only had Nick's side of the story in Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. Or only Amy's. Without dual POVS in Alison Cochrun's The Charm Offensive, we might have only experienced half the humor, half the heat.
Of course, writing from two perspectives can also feel like twice the amount of work. In order to successfully pull off this kind of narrative, you'll need to have two separate character arcs, two plot-lines that intertwine or converge, and two distinct voices and personalities. So, before putting in all that effort, it's probably helpful to ask yourself one very important question: Why?
Why would this story benefit from being told in two points of view? Would a second perspective add a layer of something that couldn't be achieved with just one? More dramatic suspense? More romantic tension? A better exploration or depiction of the novel's overarching theme? When writing his queer post-apocalyptic romance, All That's Left in the World, Erik J. Brown knew dual POVS would make for a more gripping story:
"When there are two characters in a scene, who maybe don't trust each other or are hiding things from one another, it heightens that tension." He went on to add, "It's easy for one character to assume what the other is thinking, but it's a special kind of connection readers get when they know the truth."
Once you have your "why," it's time to figure out your "hows."
How do I decide who my two narrators are?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July - August 2023 من Writer’s Digest.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July - August 2023 من Writer’s Digest.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Writers on writing
When I wrote Daughters of Shandong, my biggest challenge was finding a way to convey, in full force, the gravity of what my characters overcame.
Writing a Great Retelling
When I say retelling, it's Sherlock Holmes who comes to mind. Just in recent film and TV, Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumber-batch stand out for their interpretations of Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved character.
Conflict Avoidance
Setting expectations early in the author-editor relationship can prevent conflict and help manage emotions when the edits come in.
Out to Sea
THE CHALLENGE: Write a drabble-a short story of exactly 100 words-based on the photo prompt below.
Alyssa Cole
In Alyssa Cole's newest thriller, One of Us Knows, the lead character Kenetria Nash is the host of what's known as a \"system,\" a group of personalities that inhabit the same body.
Escalate Conflict to Keep Readers Turning Pages
Draw readers in through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual conflict.
Better Story Structure Through Musicals and Kung Fu Movies
Build emotion and conflict for your characters and readers by taking a note from the structure of two popular storytelling forms.
The 26" Annual 101 Best Websites for Writers
Creating this list is a yearlong project that involves an overwhelming number of bookmarked sites on our browsers. Th ere are so many great websites for writers—with more popping up practically daily—it’s no wonder this is still one of our most popular features aft er 25 years.
BREAKINGIN
Debut authors: How they did it, what they learned, and why you can do it, too.
A Long-Haul Writer’s Lament
Advice for Those at the Start