Happy Monday, writers. Today, Karen Witemeyer is visiting to begin a new series on Deep POV. As an editor, I see this come up a lot. POV takes time to master. Thankfully, Karen's here this month to help simplify it for us. Read on!
How
to Increase the Intimacy Between your Characters and your Readers
When Annette invited me to Seriously
Write to do a series of mini lessons, I knew right away what I would like to
share. In my opinion, mastering Deep POV (Point Of View) is one of the best
ways to catch an editor's eye and a reader's loyalty.
Many of my readers have told me that one
of the reasons they enjoy my books is because my characters feel so real. This is
directly tied to deep POV.
During this series, we will discuss what
deep POV is and then spend most of our time working on practical ways to
incorporate it into our writing. Even experienced authors can benefit from the
reminders. As I was working on putting this material together, I found myself
going back and editing passages in my current manuscript to deepen the POV. I
need the reminders as much as anyone.
What
is Deep POV?
* Deep POV is being so far into the
head and emotions of your character that you write in her voice instead of
your own.
This goes beyond adding the occasional direct, italicized thought to the point where the narrative itself takes on the personality of the POV character. It puts the reader in the character's head instead of relying solely on action and dialog to determine the character's motives and opinions.
* Deep POV cultivates the intimacy of 1st person while allowing the flexibility of 3rd person.
With deep POV, you can have multiple POV characters, like the hero and heroine in a romance, but each POV voice must be distinct. Just as in crafting dialog, the narrative voice should be unique to each character.
* Deep POV is the ultimate way to show in show vs. tell.
Readers don't just listen to the story; they experience it directly with the characters. They feel the characters' emotions firsthand and are privy to their thoughts. This draws the reader in and bonds her to the characters so that she becomes personally invested in the story's outcome.
Next
week: How to capture the voice of your POV characters.
~~~~~
Short-Straw Bride released June 1, 2012.
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when
Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off
their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk. Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.
Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?
~~~~~
Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
