How appropriate that the August installment of Insecure Writer’s Support Group would fall on the first day of Campnano. In my case, there are going to be a lot of insecurities that will be exposed or resolved based on this months writing activity.
I have been reading and researching a lot on POV lately. My Campnano project is about two characters and I tell the story from both of their point of views; switching back and forth between the two through out the story. I have a good outline and a good game plan, but what is missing is why these two POV’s should be in the same story. I feel they shouldknown not sure how to show that in the story just yEt. And, I am a bit concerned about how to distinguish from one point of view to the other.
But, my biggest concern is that I have never writing a story from a man’s POV. What if my big strong, sensitive guy starts sounding like a girl? That can’t happen or it will throw the whole story off.
Even though I am a planner and I have a plan, this is probably one of the few times in my life that I know I won’t stick to the plan and it is a little scary and exciting at the same time.
I guess from my fellow support group members, all I need this month is a big rousing “You can do it.”
Then I am good until next month.
Anymore POV concerns I need to be aware of before I dive into this project head first?
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 
YES!!! YOU CAN DO IT SYDNEY!!!! >>> GO !! GO!!! GO !!! :):):)
Thanks Seumas. Just what I needed. 🙂
YOU CAN DO IT!!!! 😉
Seriously though, I often worry about exactly what you’re saying. I worry that when I write in first person, ALL my characters will sound the same lol. How the hell do you get into the mind of a man anyway? 😉
Could you do the girl in first person and the guy in third? Just a thought.
One of my novel ideas will be from 2 people’s POV but I’ve decided to go 3rd for one and 1st for the other. Sounds like yours is a good concept though honey 🙂
Good luck!!!!!
Xx
Hi Vikki, I was think about that. Girl in 1st person and the guy in 3rd person. I started the story today and I think it is going to be really good with her in 1st person. I haven’t introduced him, yet, but I will give it a try. I am still early enough in to play with it a little before fully committing. This is so much fun.
You’re welcome 🙂
It’s exactly what I’m going to do with my next WIP. One chapter, 1st person her, next chapter 3rd person him and the rest of the family 🙂
Good luck!
Xx
You can do it! Each of your characters has a particular voice in your head. I don’t think you have to worry about those voices blending together, because they’re unique personalities. Writers are weird that way, right? We’ve created these people, and we can perfectly insert ourselves into their minds and know exactly what’s going on with them. I’m sure you’ll write each POV with the character in mind without even having to think about it, and they won’t sound the same at all.
Good luck! I’m #231 in the group today.
Jeannette
That is a great way to look at it. You are right, we are weird. We have voice in our head telling us what to do. We can be young girl one day and a tough biker dude the next. I hope it comes as easy as you say, but I am ready to put in the work regardless. I like this story.
Okay I’m with Vikki, YOU CAN DO IT!
For me POV has always been a problem. The one thing I can tell you is, No head hopping. And what that means is, Don’t use two POV’s at the same time. If you have to have two POV’s start a new paragraph for the other person’s POV, or even a new chapter. It’s hard when you are just trying to get the story written because you have to stop and think, Okay whose eyes am I looking through as I write this? And I applaud everyone that can write in the opposite gender’s POV. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. As for me, I will be writing the second book for my series, “Chris’ Journey” And even though I know the basic story, beginning, middle, and end, I haven’t a clue as to how it’s going to turn out. Good luck to everyone and have fun.
Thanks Karen. Great advice. This project is going to be a choir, but it is going to be fun. I will keep you posted.
Do it, you can! (That was Yoda beaming through). I just read a blog post on character building that suggested going through a book that has some of your favorite characters and making notes on what makes them stand out, what defines their beliefs, values, characteristics. That could help you get a feel for what makes a man. And avoid the stereotypes and cliches. That’s my two cents.
Thanks Laura. I always love a good Yoda reference. Great advice. It is just going to take some practice, I think.
You can do it Sydney 🙂
My current WIP has 3 different POV and to make sure each character had his/her own “voice” I actually wrote all the chapters from POV #1 first, then I went back to the beginning and wrote all the chapters from POV #2 and did this a third time for POV #3. Obviously I had a very clear outline before writing this MS, but in the end this worked well for me. Each character sounds different, and my male POV doesn’t have a girly voice 😉 Best of luck for CampNaNo!
Hey EM. Thanks. With this POV thing, you have to write it a few ways to find out which one works I am discovering. That is ok. I think that will be fun. I am just one day into CampNano writing female MC in 1st person and that is a bit different for me as well. I usually write in 3rd person. All sorts of newness going on in this project. Thanks so much for your support.
We have had lots of fine interactions on the Twitter and on the blogs, so I am going to share a little secret with you, but you can’t tell anybody else:
“But, my biggest concern is that I have never writing a story from a man’s POV. What if my big strong, sensitive guy starts sounding like a girl?”
When nobody is around, and our machismo is not on public display, ALL men sound like girls. 🙂
haha. Perfect. Then I have nothing to worry about. Thanks for the insight. You have any other secrets you want to reveal, let me know. I won’t tell. But, I hope you aren’t going to get your man card revoked for revealing club secrets. Watch your back for the next couple of days, ok.
You can do it! It may be one of those things where you figure it out as you go. I would write the first draft of it in whatever way feels good to you. Or play around with different approaches and edit later. I like to write stories the way I would want to have it told to me. Sometimes POV gets muddy when I do it that way, but that’s what editing’s for. 🙂
Hey Tonja. Yeah, I have resigned myself to the fact that this is going to be an experiment. I am ready for it.
Hmm… First – You can do it! 😀 Don’t give up. 🙂
Now for the details… If you hear them in your head clearly, you should be able to write them so they sound different. Don’t forget to use body language/mannerisms to make them different, too. That can go a long way to masculinizing (is that a word?) your males.
As far as switching, do that at scene or chapter breaks (and with good cause). The thing you definitely want to avoid is switching back and forth throughout a scene. Your reader will never be able to sink into one character’s head for a long stretch and thus sink into your story.
As to POV in general, remember, when you’re in a character’s head, you can only write about what s/he can see, smell, hear, taste, and know. Good luck. 🙂
IWSG #179 (At least until Alex culls the list again. :P)
Thanks Melissa. I am really good about visualizing my scenes before I write them. I will just have to tap into my masculine side. I need to do better at remembering to use all the senses.
Wow, my hat’s off to you for even attempting a two part POV….kudos on that 🙂 I think you’ll know if your big, strong, man starts sounding all girly. That’s what editing and re-writes are for.
Best wishes in doing Camp Nano, as well. If I had been more prepared and had more time, I’d be there with you.
Just go with the flow….you can do it =)
Thanks Mark. Yeah, edits are going to be critical because so much is unknown in this story. It is a good story, though. So, the work will be worth it.
I stressed writing my first woman’s character in my second book. My wife helped me a lot though. Make sure one of your critique partners is a man – he’ll catch all the girly stuff! Otherwise, just write it. You’ll do much better than you think.
That’s a great idea. Thanks Alex.
I don’t see any problem with the shifting POVs. My book has on POV, third person, but told through multiple characters.
Hi Stephen. I love readying books with multiple POV’s, but have never written one like that. It will be a challenge, but should be fun. Thanks for your comment.
Hmm, I can’t help you with the other concerns. But, in regards to your fear that the male POV will sound too feminine….I always thought that I wrote well from a male POV (and that I have gender identity disorder as well). I’ve come to conclude that male/female perspectives are not at all that different. And if so, it’s because men never experience the feeling of a lack of control that accompanies the experience of menstruation. So imagine not having that experience- then you’re a man- pretty much anyway;) Hope this helps…or at least makes you laugh. Good luck!
Hey Anna. I will just write it and see how it comes out later. I might be able to do it well, but just haven’t done on this scale before. Thanks for your advice. That is a lot of concentration to think what that is like, but I will give it a try for the sake of my male character. HAHA. It did make me laugh.
😉 mission accomplished then. Good luck! I’m looking forward to reading how it goes.
You might Check out Game of Thrones – George R.R. Martin does a pretty good job with all the alternating POV’s. Best of luck at whatever Campnano is. I hope it goes well for you 🙂
Thanks. I have not read Game of Thrones. I will check it out. Campnano is August Nanowrimo – 50,000 word in one month writing challenge. I really enjoy writing first drafts with this type of challenge.
Good luck! Although I’m sure you can manage, it sounds like a fun challenge.
Thanks Felicia.
Here’s a big rousing “YOU CAN DO IT” to help get you started 🙂 Once again, I’m a little late to the party, but I’m going to try Camp NaNoWriMo in hopes of finishing the second half of the novel I was working on during JuNoWriMo. This is a busy month for me, so I doubt I’ll be able to dedicate the same time towards the WiP as I had in June, but I’m so motivated by the idea that I could be faced with a FINISHED NOVEL by the end of this month!! Yay! Let’s do this thing together!
Hey Amanda, Thanks so much. I am three days in and not the same flow as in June. This is going to be a challenge. Plus, the Nano group isn’t as visible on twitter as the Juno group was. It was the sprints that really helped me during Juno. Let me know if want to plan a write in online. I agree, the idea of having another first draft finished at the end of the month is what is motivating me.
Sounds awesome! Thanks 🙂
You can do it, you’ve started – I just remembered I signed up and have done no writing this week at all! Argh!
Hey Charmaine. There is still plenty of time. You can do it, too.