Switching perspectives in a novel can add depth and complexity to your novel, but it calls for careful planning and execution. Without that, you risk confusing your readers.
If you’re thinking about using multiple points of view (POVs), make sure each one is carried by a strong sense of voice so that your readers can easily follow along. You want each point of view to feel unique – each should have a different way of thinking, speaking, and reacting to the world around them. Strong voices for each perspective helps readers recognize when the switch has been made, without explicitly being told. The key is to give each character their own important details to share, so that every change in POV holds weight for the story.
This article explores different tactics you can use to shift perspectives and tips for keeping your narrative smooth in the process.
Section breaks
When it comes to switching from one POV to another, it’s important to have clear transitions. The easiest and most common transition is signaled through breaks. There are three types of breaks:
- Line break: One blank line between POVs. The scene or sequence of action remains the same.
- Scene break: Two blank lines between POVs. Here, the break signals the passing of time and the scene changes along with the POV.
- Chapter break: One chapter ends and another begins in a new POV.
Any of these three breaks signal to the reader that a shift is occurring. However, chapter breaks make the transition easiest on the reader by allowing them a moment to mentally rest and reset before continuing.
Stylistic differences
If you want to break the normal POV format or create a subtle shift, you can alter the style used between characters. This could look like using a different type of prose, italics or bold, or an entirely different font from the rest of the novel. You could also signal the change by mentioning the character whose POV you previously visited. Doing these immediately cues the reader that something has changed.
Consider using stylistic changes if the perspective change is drastically different from the rest of the story, such as when your character is reading a passage from a diary or if the shift occurs from first-person to third-person POV to prove a point.
You can also blend stylistic elements with section breaks by using names or symbols unique to each character before switching to their POV or merging chapter breaks with font changes.
Third-person and omniscient camera work
If you are writing between close third-person narratives, you can occasionally use omniscient narrative as a bridge between them, sometimes even mid-scene. Think of POV like a camera, where the transition between involves zooming out and panning away before zooming into the next POV. It is most effective at the end of scenes or chapters.
Here is an example of how to use it:
Start with a line written in the perspective of one character. Use the next couple of lines to pull away from them and into an omniscient view. Briefly explore this view while you pan away in the direction of the other character. Then, slowly slip from omniscient into close third person using the new character’s voice.
Using multiple POV styles
It’s possible to hop between types of perspective, such as mixing first person, third person, and omniscient in different combinations. This calls for more attention to detail and clear chapter titles to signal shifts to the reader. Just make sure that whatever POV you give a character remains consistent throughout – if Character A is in first person and Character B is in third, don’t suddenly give Character A a third person perspective or vice versa. This will help unnecessary confusion or accidental head-hopping.
Tips for changing perspectives
Know your genre
Most genres have specific rules (sometimes spoken, sometimes unspoken) about how to handle multiple perspectives. Readers of romance, fantasy, and science fiction expect perspective changes to happen in a certain way. Breaking that norm may be too jarring or create a dissatisfying experience for them. Read as many novels as you can that feature multiple POVs to understand how others handle the shifts and what readers look for within each genre.
Establish POV patterns early
Don’t write twelve chapters in a single perspective, then toss in a new POV on the thirteenth. This will throw your readers off. They may even set down the book. Set up a pattern for changing perspective and reveal it as early as possible. If the shifts are going to be rare, write in the rare POV first to prepare the readers for the occasional change.
Use clear markers while drafting
This is for your benefit, not the reader’s, although it will bleed into the story by default. Use chapter headings, colors, or font changes to keep track of every POV shift while you are writing. This will help you remain in the correct style of voice as you switch.
You can also map out each POV change, then write only in one character’s voice at a time to keep a uniform voice.
POVs within one scene
When writing a scene with multiple POV characters present, choose one character to tell it. Typically, this should be the character who has the most to share – they have the most at stake in this scene or their experience is more intense than the other characters’.
It’s best to stick to one perspective per scene. Jumping between characters mid-scene can be done, but it needs to be handled a certain way or else you will confuse your readers. If you absolutely need to switch, wait until a break in the action or until something significant happens to the other POV character. Don’t switch back and forth – only make this change once, then stay with the second character until the end of the scene.
Remember the camera
Narration is all about camera movement and perspectives are how you change angles. No matter how you move, pan out, or zoom in, always keep the shot focused and clear by using distinct voices and signaled shifts. With attention to detail and consistency, you’ll have a fluid transition between characters for your readers to enjoy.