Your Next Draft

The Critical Point of View Mistake to Fix in Your Second Draft


Listen Later

The point of view you choose for your novel shapes the information that you give your readers. And it shapes how your readers receive and interpret that information.

Which means your point of view actually shapes the story itself. And that’s a really big deal!

The challenge is, point of view can be tricky to master. There are nearly unlimited ways you can craft your point of view. And there are just as many point of view mistakes you can make.

In this episode, I’m sharing the most important mistake I see writers make in their point of view. Here it is:

Being inconsistent.

Ever find yourself accidentally switching between first person and third person point of view? Or between past and present? Or between multiple characters’ perspectives?

Those are inconsistencies. And they’ll distract, confuse, and frustrate your readers.

Not to worry, though! In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why point of view inconsistencies matter
  • How to spot inconsistencies in your own writing
  • When in the editing process you should correct point of view inconsistencies
  • What to do if you’re not sure you’ve caught them all (hint: don’t panic!)
  • And more!

Plus, I’ve put together a worksheet for you to reference and practice. In it, I’ll show you what a consistent point of view looks like, and how to spot an inconsistent point of view shift.

Then, challenge yourself to spot all the point of view inconsistencies I’ve hidden in the practice exercise.

Get the worksheet at alicesudlow.com/povworksheet and practice your point of view skills.

Then, pull out a scene of your novel and clean up any point of view inconsistencies you find!

Links mentioned in the episode:

  • Point of View Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/povworksheet

Send me a Text Message!

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Your Next DraftBy Alice Sudlow

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

57 ratings


More shows like Your Next Draft

View all
The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

621 Listeners

Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

Helping Writers Become Authors

995 Listeners

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

215 Listeners

Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Writing Excuses

1,287 Listeners

What Should I Read Next? by Anne Bogel

What Should I Read Next?

5,151 Listeners

Writer's Routine by Dan Simpson

Writer's Routine

305 Listeners

Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings by Oprah and Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings

3,770 Listeners

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips by Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

1,425 Listeners

The Ancients by History Hit

The Ancients

3,098 Listeners

The Dialogue Doctor Podcast by Jeff Elkins

The Dialogue Doctor Podcast

18 Listeners

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

766 Listeners

Book Talk, etc. by Tina @tbretc and Hannah @hanpickedbooks

Book Talk, etc.

617 Listeners

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

355 Listeners

Writers on Writing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

Writers on Writing

81 Listeners

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel by Heather Davis, Writing Coach, Book Coach, and Developmental Editor

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

14 Listeners