Living the Story: Writing in Second Person Point of View

person staring at the camera

You’ve probably come across stories written in first person (“I”) or third person (“he” or “she”) most of the time. But there’s another, less common way to tell a story: second person. In second-person point of view (POV), the narrator speaks directly to you, turning you into a character in the story. It can feel […]

Young Adult 101: From First Love to Epic Battles

If you’ve been curious why Young Adult (YA) fiction has readers of all ages hooked, you’re in the right place. YA isn’t just about high school crushes or locker drama; it’s about discovering who you are, taking on scary challenges, and learning some pretty big life lessons along the way. And yes, there might be […]

A New Angle: How to Shift Perspectives in Your Novel

man under arch shadow

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 […]

Middle Grade, Part 5: A Crash Course in Kid Culture

middle grade girl reading

This article is part of a series. Click here to view Part 1: MG Overview, Part 2: MG Novels, Part 3: Plotting MG, and Part 4: MG Characters. Writing for any genre requires an understanding of its audience, but this is doubly important when writing middle grade (MG) novels. MG readers are often between 8 and 12 […]

Truth or Fiction: Writing With Unreliable Narrators

narrator

Adding an unreliable narrator to your story spices things up and keeps readers on their toes. Unlike head-hopping, which can confuse your readers, an unreliable narrator is an intentional tool. Its purpose is to make readers think by messing with their mind. Let’s take a deeper look at what it is and how to use […]

Too Many Voices: Writing With Multiple POVs

man planning thinking

Whether it’s your first time writing a novel or fifth, writing with multiple perspective characters can be difficult. It requires planning, strong character development, and complex plots. Before you settle on how many POVs are in your novel, take some time to analyze your story and decide if multiple perspectives are a right fit. What […]