I’m excited to have one of the first people I met at the RWA Annual in 2009 in 
Washingto n, D.C. You know how you just click with some people? Smart and witty, Vicki Batman got my warped sense of humor. If you’ve never met Vicki, let me introduce you to her now.
Like some of her characters, Vicki has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm. The list is…endless.
Born in Dallas, a graduate of Texas Tech, she is married to Handsome, has two big boys, two attention-demanding cats, and two adorable poopies.
Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004 she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. Recently, she was awarded the 2010 Robin Teer Memorial Service Award.
Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??“
Vicki: Hi, Sharon. Thanks for having me here to blog about POV.
To be clear, POV (Point of View) is the perspective of the character we’re writing about, what they are experiencing and saying.
There are several kinds, but most often used is first person and third person.
I tend to write in first. Why? Because it is very natural for me, almost feeling like an extension of myself. I embody the character. When I began writing, a lot of critiques came in, saying writing in First Pis “chick-lit” style. I thought the comment weird as many mystery writers had been writing in First for a long time. See my favorites: Janet Evanovich and Dick Francis.
Also, the comment struck me that I was doing something wrong.
I’ve read other posts some readers won’t read First POV at all. Really? They seemed to describe it as a horrible hairy spider. Rather extreme.
First POV allows the reader to crawl into the protagonist’s skin. To experience what he/she smells, tastes, feels, sees. The reader can almost reach out and really sense the stroke of a rose petal, smell the hero’s citrusy soap scent, taste the chocolate in her kiss through the character.
So what’s so bad about that? I dunno.
I’ve written stories in third. They are fine works. I can even hop from one character’s head to another. But it isn’t my favorite. I’m not in their skin like I am in first.
So what do you think? Sharon–Any thoughts?
Sharon: So, here I am in my head, and you can tell that from the bold look of my font. LOL! But, in a book, changing fonts is pretty limited to italics or CAPS. And if I write all in CAPS, then I’m shouting at the reader.
Unless I’m writing an essay or a blog, I favor the third person. Yes, I received the same feedback you did on my first manuscript, a mystery. And the major comment that hit me was that if I wanted to write romantic suspense in the first person then what I could “see” and thus “show” to my reader with my eyes as the camera, if you will, would be limited. I wouldn’t be able to show the hero’s POV or the villain’s POV–and for me that was a show stopper. I know there are some authors who can pull off the “I” and switch to “he” or “she.” At this point, I think I need to stick to what will sell. If I were a huge name author, I could probably tell it in second person. Now, there’s a trick. “You did this” and “you did that.” Sounds accusatory, doesn’t it?
How do you feel about the slipstream effect, where the reader just slides into the other point of view mid-scene? Karen Rose is extraordinarily good at this. Some of us haven’t mastered the “Signal-Anchor-Pass-the-Baton” technique as Laurie Saunders calls it in her “Deep POV” course, which I highly recommend.
Most importantly, we as authors have the obligation to not confuse our readers, or head-hop so much that people get whiplash. How do you keep your reader oriented, Vicki?
Vicki: I’m surprised by your comment someone told you couldn’t write romantic suspense in First Person. I have no doubt that if I continued to write in Third, my skills would improve. Writing in First enables the heroine to see, thus providing first had knowledge. Yes, most things have to be told or experienced through this character. Nothing is horrible about that. I find it is what we do every day.
I’ve read Karen Rose, Sharon, and I agree, she transitions beautifully. Highly recommend her work.
As for orienting the reader—being in First Person automatically orients the reader from the very first I or WE. The reader knows who is telling the story. For me, the challenge is when to insert the heroine’s name and characteristics. She can’t exactly say her name or describe herself. It reads weird. But there are ways to handle this skillfully.
First works so well in my novella, “I Believe.” Here’s an example:
This conversation was going nowhere except down the Port-A-Potty. But as I sat there and thoughts passed through what little brains my dad teased I had, I noticed the girls shared a distinct look, like they knew something I didn’t. Each lifted one brow, a shoulder raised in a bare shrug, as if they were communicating through . . . telepathy.
How weird. Definitely suspicious.
We’ve all been in this situation before–observing others around us who are chatting, knitting, eating, whatever. And when our friends communicate with each other in their distinct way, we know how it feels. Here, the heroine of “I Believe” is feeling weird and different, shown through her Deep POV.
Once, I wrote a whole story, had it critiqued, ready for submission, then did my last pass through. Cha-ching! No name, no description of her. But I believe this worked to my advantage because I inserted these parts in and made a better impact. I really, really liked what I did.
My personal challenge is to find ways not to overdo I, ME pronouns. Too much sounds self-centered.
So Sharon, how does writing in one chapter and changing in the next work for you?
Sharon: Honestly, I like being able to change POV. In Desire and Deception, I used three points of view: Sarah (the amateur sleuth and goody-two shoes), Dan (Sarah’s husband) and Isabel (the man-eater). When I first began writing the book, I thought the story belonged to Sarah. But Izzy took over the story. Both are complex characters with challenging childhoods (one of the reasons they become best friends) but Izzy changed the most in the book, so that’s when I knew it was her story.
In the sequel, Desire and Obsession, a recovering addict must work with a Mexican drug lord to rescue her one-year-old son from the clutches of a cult leader who believes the child is the Chosen One. This book will be a bit more complicated to write, as it will have four POVs and I’m going to have to be particularly careful about anchoring the reader to each character’s POV. The heroine’s sole focus is on getting her son away from the cult leader, but she has to work with someone who is totally repellant to her. I think the story will belong to the hero, an ATFE operative posing as a mobster. He has a lot of anger and thirsts for revenge. I’m looking forward to writing more in his head. The cult leader’s wife is a battered woman who believes that her husband has the true word of God. She was prepared by her childhood to fall under his spell. She has become very real to me through my examination of her motives. The cult leader/villain is particularly odious and I love being in his screwed up mind for short visits. I’ve been reading up on cults and watching documentaries to learn more about these types of leaders. My critique partners think he deserves to be killed with something Biblical, like a pillar of fire. We shall see!
Any final words of advice for our readers today, Vicki?
Vicki: Odious villain, Sharon? WOW.
When writing First Person POV, embody your character fully. Imagine her surroundings and describe them as she sees them. Make her dialogue genuine to her character. Use Deep POV for her internal thoughts about what she is seeing, feeling, and experiencing. And finally, First is very intimate! Don’t toss aside a book written in First. You will be surprised how you experience the character. It’s cool!!
To learn more about Vicki and what she’s up to, go to http://vickibatman.blogspot.com
And to find her hot new book, I Believe, go to https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/275 
First: Congratulations on the release, Vicki.
Next: I like first person POV, both as a reader and a writer. Two of my three published books are in first. The other’s in third person.
I had written a novel in third person omniscient, but my crit buddies and beta readers demanded to know more about the characters than omniscient allows, so that one’s in revisions, going to third person.
Gack! I loathe second person. Won’t read it.
Wish you much success! You’re a classy lady and skilled writer.
Great post.
Hi, KevaD: I’m so glad you found me here.
I’m glad you like first pov too. Somehow, for us it works best.
I read a second person once. It was very different, but slugged my way through. I have this “thing” where I finish every book, good or bad, that I start. I figure I have something to learn. I learned second isn’t me. lol
Ooh, thanks for the compliment. Classy and skilled!!! I’ll take.
I have never written a story in first person POV but after reading Vicki’s “I Believe” and several of her short stories, it’s something I definitely want to try. I think it would be a great way to get into deep POV.
Hi, Sheila! I’m so glad you commented.
I have to say my stories took over and came out in first. Maybe channel your pov before beginning? Think thru your character”s senses.
Vicki–
Thanks for being here today to talk about this important craft. Getting into someone’s skin and doing it well is the sign of a skilled author.
Now, I want to know what rides you worked on at the amusement park. I have you pegged for the roller coaster!
Sharon
Hi, Sharon! Thank you for having me.
I loved working at the amusement park! I worked on the Mine Train the longest, Big Bend (sadly, gone); carousel (skinned knees); log and cave rides; Chevy show; games; street sweeper. Riding rides is a blast. There’s a trick-when sitting, spread your legs apart, lightly grasp the rail and move with the ride. Less jerks.
Hi Sharon and Vicki,
Joya
Great post and discussion. I enjoy reading first person and third. Love the excerpt, Vicki, and the idea for this story is AWESOME!
(Like those caps, Sharon? I was yelling at Vicki that I loved her idea, LOL.)
Thanks for the interesting information and good luck to both of you for continued success in your writing.
Great blog post, Sharon and Vicki!
I tend to do most of my writing in third person. I like being able to immerse myself in the hero, the heroine, or even the villain’s POV so the reader knows exactly what they are thinking, feeling, etc.
I haven’t really done much in first person, but I do have an idea for a story that I think would definitely work in first person (urban fantasy), but first have to finish the WIP in progress, which is taking forever.
Very good post. And congratulations, again, Vicki, or your novella sale. You go, girlfriend!
Hi, Joya! Hi, Kathy!!
I’m happy my writing friends could join Sharon and me.
I’m so glad you found this discussion interesting. I wish much success to both of you.
Great blog, Sharon and Vicki.
Like you, Sharon, I met Vicki at National in DC in 2009. It’s because of Vicki that I started writing for the confession magazines, the Trues, and have sold nine stories so far to them.
Before writing for the Trues, I always wrote third person. The first Trues story I wrote, and sold to True Experience, was the first time I’d ever written first person. All stories for the Trues are written first person. I still write my novels in third person.
It’s true with first person that you can’t get into other characters’ heads. But first person allows you to go deeply into your protaganist’s head. I know some authors who write in third person recommend that when you’re having trouble getting into a character’s deep POV, rewrite the scene in first person.
I’ll stick with first person for my shorts and third person for the novels and novellas.
Thanks for the interesting blog.
Hi, Cara! Meeting new people is such a treat. I’m lucky to have met you and Sharon.
I think writing for the Trues has kept me in first pov. And since I’m now comfy in it, I’ll probably stay there. lol
Very good tip about deep pov. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this post, Vicki and Sharon. I have written three novels, all in first person POV, and honestly, I never thought of doing it any other way! DUH! After reading this, maybe I ought to try? Thanks for the incentive. And this was a good interview. I wish you both success in your writing futures!
Patti
Hi, Patti! Write what works best for you. However, it never hurts to learn a new trick. Good luck!
Hi Patti–
Like many things in writing and life, I think it’s good to try different approaches to see what works for you. Third person can be a challenge, as seeing through the villain’s eyes is not always a comfortable place. But, if you can find something out about that villain in the process that makes him more human and you can bring that to the story, then that is worth the price of admission.
Sharon
Hi Vicki,
I always write in third person. If I wrote in first person, I’d have to write as the hero. Ha! I often get way more into his head than the heroines. Weird, yeah, I know. Maybe I need to work on that. It just takes me longer to get to know her and what makes her tick.
Pamela
Congrats on the release. Love the dual post. I agree with both of you – each style brings something new to the story. I prefer third person, but first person is growing on me and I have a WIP started in first person – liking it so far. It’s challenging, but very interesting!
Thanks for stopping by, Julia!
Have you ever done 3rd person mixed with 1st person? I have not, but some do it well.
Sharon
Good afternoon Sharon and Vicki,
Excellent discussion. For me, if the writing is well done, I read it. I agree with you Vicki, deep POV is ultra effective. It ensures you ‘show’ vs. tell. And, I’m with you, less IS more. Thanks for your insight on a fabulous topic, and I wish you continued success!
Diana Cosby
Hi Diana–
Thanks for stopping in. Vicki’s 1st person POV is outstanding. I loved I BELIEVE.
Sharon
Hi, Pam! I know how you love your heroes. I see nothing wrong with writing him in first. I started a story this way. As soon as I finish the other two, I’m back to him.
A challenge for me to write like a guy.
Hi, Julia! I admire you embracing your challenge in first pov. Good luck!
Hi, Diana! Thank you so much for posting. I believe we all want the very best from our writing. I constantly struggle with my own personal insanity–am I a hack?–because I want readers to like my work. You are awesome!
Sharon brought up an good topic-writing in one pov and switching to another in the next chapter. It is an interesting technique and one I find in a lot of mysteries and thrillers. Has anyone tried this?
Vicki, congrats on the new release. I don’t write first person for the exact reason you do. It feels too intimate to me. When readers ask me if my books are based on my life and what I do, I know it’s absurd, but somehow I think if I write in first person, that will be less so. IDK. I think it takes a lot of talent to write in first person and I wish you the best.
Hi, Margie: I truly appreciate your commenting. Yep, first pov is extremely intimate. I feel like readers know me through my characters and perhaps, am revealing a secret.
Thank you for your compliment!
Dearest Sharon–Thank you! for having me today. We got some interesting comments.
I wish everyone happy writing! And please, check out “I Believe!!!”
Hi Vicki,
Great post! I love reading in first person b/c it puts you right in that character. When I first started writing, I wrote in first person and if I write anything besides a romance, I still write in first person. But I can’t write romances in first person, they have to be in third. Go figure.
Karilyn
The problem with 1st person for writers and readers is passive construction. As long as it doesn’t drone on and on inside the character’s head it’s readable.