Master writers select a character to tell a compelling story. The chosen one has the most obstacles, the most to lose, the greatest need, and the reason to move forward.
Consider The Three Little Pigs. This short story, told from the pigs' POV, compels readers to side with the pigs and disapprove/fear the wolf. Many children and adults have enjoyed re-readings of this story.
But on March 1, 1996, Lane Smith authored The True Story of the Three Little Pigs from the Wolf's point of view. This book has earned high reviews and possibly is as well known to children today as The Three Little Pigs. I must admit--I liked this book more.
As I sat down to write this post, I realized The True Story of the Three Little Pigs would not have grabbed my vote had The Three Little Pigs not been written first. So I asked myself, would I have enjoyed the Wolf's POV had I not known the Little Pig's POV? Probably not.
Let's look at a few works by master writers to examine why he/she chose their character's POV:
Does Scarlet really prove to be the best choice for POV?
Here is the test, (feel free to add your comments at the end of the post)
Reason to Move Forward: Survive affects of the war, find true love
Needs: Romance, wealth, attention, status, security
Losses: home, husbands, child, stability, wealth,
Obstacles: ego, Ashley married Melanie, Brett's true love, Civil War
Contenders for POV:
1. Ashley: NO! His story would be boring, whimpy, whiney
2. Rhett: No. Life came to easy for him. He had everything he wanted and few if any obstacles
3. Melanie: NO! Melanie's story would be too sweet, gushy, positive
4. Mammy: Perhaps, but her POV would write a different story. I think I'd like to read it.
5. Scarlett: Yes. Only Scarlett could tell this story.
Western historical romance
Here is Belle's test:
Reason to move forward: Move surplus cattle to auction before winter, protect ranch, no more lazy-money grabbing husbandsNeeds: true companion, honesty, trust, ranch hand
Losses: ranch, cattle, home, access to way home, daughter, ranch help
Obstacles: handsome lazy-money grabbing men, winter, too many cattle, needed major repairs for home
Contenders for POV:
1. Lindsey (Belle's daughter): No. She did not return home which would have changed the ending. While she had some of the needs, losses, reasons to move forward, she did not have the greatest.
2. Silas: Possible. Most humor material would be lost, his character would tell a gruffer story, may not lasso readers into the story.
3. Belle: Yes. Humor, rugged spirit, gooey heart, independent, in need of help more than she realized.
Here is Angel's test:
Reason to Move forward: survival Needs: escape from evil, a reason for hope, commitment, saving, home, security, true love, dependability
Losses: home, parents, respect, freedom, love, choice
Obstacles: money, captors, imprisonment, lack of life skills, anger
Contenders for POV:
1. Duke or Duchess: NO. Both caused serious problems and neither wanted to move away from their negative setting.
2. Michael: possible, but essential beginning story line would be lost, did not have greatest needs/obstacles, would be told from hero's POV
3. Angel: YES. Her story yanks every emotion into play.
Let's also consider a true reporting of this event:
Consider your answers for David, or for your own POV
Historical battle
Here is David's test
Reason to move forward:Needs:
Losses:
Obstacles:.
Contenders for POV:
What if you chose a different character for your WIP?
Could this change bring spice, sassy, salt, suspense, page turning interest?
