Whose Head Should You Be In? Picking the Right POV Character
One problem I frequently see when editing new authors’ novels is when the narrative focus shifts to the wrong character in a scene. Sometimes it’s subtle, like hopping from one character’s head to another’s without realizing it. Other times, it’s a structural issue baked into the chapter from the start.
Either way, readers can tell when the wrong character has been put in the driver’s seat.
So how do you know whose point of view readers should experience the scene from?
The simplest and most powerful criterion is the fun factor.
To get a common misconception out of the way up front, the question to ask is not “Who do I want to develop?” or “Who needs more screen time?”
Instead, ask yourself: “Who’s the most interesting person to be right now?”
The correct answer is whichever character is doing, feeling, or experiencing the most engaging action from the reader’s standpoint.
Related: How to Know When Your Book Is Ready for Editing
Think of it this way: If you’re staging a fight scene, the POV character should be the one with the most at stake; whose perspective makes the conflict most exciting.
If you’re writing a tense dialogue, the best POV isn’t necessarily the one doing the talking. It might be the character who’s trying the hardest to read between the lines, because that internal struggle forms the heart of the scene.
So, how do you spot the right POV character?
Check the stakes. Whichever character has the most to gain or lose at the time is usually your best bet.
Look at the action. Whose decisions or reactions are driving the moment forward?
Consider the payoff. Which character’s perspective delivers the most drama, humor, suspense, or revelations for the reader?
When in doubt, put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Imagine them playing the scene out like a video game. Whose eyes would they want to see through?
Related: Keeping Your Novel’s Plot Coherent: An Editor’s Perspective
The rules above hold across all narrative voices, but each style has its quirks. Let’s consider a few examples.
First Person: This is the simplest option. You’ll almost always stay in the head of one character for the entire book. The fun factor still matters, it should guide which events you choose to show through that character’s eyes. If your main character isn’t the most interesting person in the scene, adjust the scene so he’s reacting, learning, or risking something. Otherwise, the book will feel like it’s happening to someone else.
Third Person Limited: This industry-standard choice gives you more flexibility. You can switch POV between scenes or chapters, but the same rule applies: Stick with the character who gives readers the most engaging perspective. Just don’t head-hop in the middle of a scene. A clean break is the professional way to shift focus.
Omniscient: This style lets you dip into multiple heads in the same scene, but there’s a tradeoff: It’s extremely hard to create mysteries or withhold information without making readers feel like you’re cheating. If the narrator knows all, the reader expects he’ll be forthcoming with all necessary information. That makes omniscient narration better for epics or sweeping histories than for tightly wound thrillers. Use it when you need broad scope and detailed commentary, not when you want suspense.
There you have it. Learn and internalize these guidelines, and you’ll be well on your way to picking the right head for the job every time.
Here are some extra tips to help you along:
Stay consistent. Once you’ve picked the POV character for a scene, stick with him until the scene ends. Don’t head-hop unless you’re deliberately using omniscient narration.
But keep an eye on balance. If you always default to the protagonist, even when your secondary characters have more at stake, the reader can miss out. Sprinkle in other perspectives when they naturally carry the most tension or fun.
Don’t be afraid to rewrite. If a scene feels flat, try switching POV in revision. You’d be surprised how often a dull passage becomes electric when seen through a different character’s eyes.
Choosing the right POV isn’t about fairness or giving every character a turn. As with all aspects of writing, it’s about maximizing the reader’s enjoyment.
The best perspective is the one that makes for the most emotionally charged scene. Pick the most fun head to be in, and your story will instantly gain clarity, momentum, and emotional impact.
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Brian Niemeier is a best-selling novelist, editor, and Dragon Award winner with over a decade in newpub. For direct, in-person writing and editing insights, join his Patreon.