As a writer who has only written single POV (point of view) manuscripts, contemplating writing a multiple POV story is intimidating. Even with the story presenting as what should have naturally been a dual POV story from early on in the project, the task is something that needs some serious thought before writing begins.
Changing the story to include this second POV character taking turns in the narrator’s seat is going to serve the manuscript incredibly well. It feels natural and I already see where her chapters are going to weave in between those of (spoiler) her sister. However, I know that I need to be careful how I do it, simply because I haven’t before. Does my brain want to keep berating the point? Yes, and to a certain extent, I let her. Some of that hesitation keeps me on my toes and will push me to write this story well. Where I shut her down automatically is when that hesitation turns negative or to whispers of imposter syndrome. THAT is not tolerated. I know my worth as a writer and I know I am more than capable of doing this. Luckily it hasn’t and the work I did last week is already setting me on a good path. I haven’t had a writer’s notebook in a hot minute, so I made sure last week to purchase one. I’m using a leuchtturm1917 dot grid notebook and it will only be used for writing notes and journaling. I set up a key for washi tape to use in marking the edges of the pages for quick reference (one of my favorite organizing tips) and am ready to do some free writing as I work on the manuscript.
This week I am going to work on getting to know my character who is now a narrator and those free writing exercises will be the first place I start. I understood her to a point before, but not as well as I need to in order to tell her story the way it deserves to be told. The feedback I’ve received on this story so far has been about this character more than anything else. Knowing her better and what her motives are is key to the reader understanding better what her sister does. I’m immersed in Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series, which in itself is a masterclass on writing multiple POV stories. That series plus other series I’ve recently read by Maggie Stiefvater, Marie Lu, and Leigh Bardugo are incredibly inspiring when contemplating how multiple POV narrators can be handled. This coming week is going to be dedicated to some serious free writing, some with just my new narrator, some with my original, and then with them both. There is a rich history between these two characters to explore and taking my time to get to know them before this story begins is going to provide invaluable information about who they are together and separately. I know it will be like opening a treasure trove full of secrets and memories and I cannot wait to dive in.
In case you haven’t been told today, you are more than enough.
Happy Writing!
Nikole Breault 
Leave a Reply